Bhubaneswar: In a landmark achievement, for the first time cashew nuts from the State shipped to Bangladesh.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India has successfully facilitated the first-ever shipment of cashew nuts to Bangladesh.
The consignment, comprising 2 metric tons of premium quality cashew nuts, was exported by Paaf Global Pvt. Ltd. This monumental step not only strengthens economic ties between the two nations but also opens up new avenues for the agricultural sector in Odisha, officials said.
The cashew nuts, sourced from the renowned company “Passion Gourmet”, run by a dynamic women entrepreneur in Odisha signify a blend of quality and empowerment. This initiative holds particular significance as it aligns with the broader mission of promoting women-led businesses and developing economic growth in the region, they said.
To mark this historic occasion and to celebrate the National Cashew Day on November 23, 2023, APEDA, in collaboration with the Government of Odisha, has organised an Export-Oriented Capacity Development Program in the conference hall of IDCO, Bhubaneswar.
This program is designed to sensitize Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs), inspiring them to venture into the field of agriculture exports. By encouraging them to become exporters, the initiative aims to eliminate middlemen from the supply chain, thus maximizing farmers’ income.
The shipment was both virtually and physically flagged off by Abhishek Dev, Chairman-APEDA in the presence of senior officers of APEDA, Arabinda Padhee, Principal Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Saswat Mishra, Principal Secretary, MSME, and other senior officers of State Government, NABARD, Customs etc.
Around 40 members of FPOs/FPCs from cashew growing districts joined and witnessed the flag-off ceremony.
Subrata Ghosh, Managing Director of Paaf Global Ltd., expressed his excitement about this remarkable achievement, stating, “This successful shipment not only represents a significant achievement for the cashew industry in Odisha but also reflects the potential for growth and collaboration in the agricultural sector between India and Bangladesh.”
Subsequent shipments of cashew nuts from Odisha are being planned for some other global destinations including Bahrain and Qatar, as committed by the exporter.
This initiative not only holds promise for the economic prosperity of the region but also aligns with the broader vision of a self-reliant India, developing entrepreneurship and sustainable agricultural export.