Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has facilitated around 500 startups in marketing and export of millet based value added products. Sangrur farmer Shri Dilpreet Singh has become an exporter. They exported the first consignment of 14.3 metric tonnes of coarse grains worth US$ 803. APEDA Chairman Shri Abhishek Dev flagged off their first consignment.
This consignment includes ready-to-cook coarse grains made from Kodo Millet, Foxtail Millet, Little Millet, Browntop Millet and Barnyard Millet. Additionally, flour prepared from Ragi, Jowar, Bajra, Foxtail, Kodo, Barnyard, Browntop, Little and Proso coarse grains is also included in this unique export consignment.
Sydney-based importer Mr. Jasvir Singh also participated in the virtual flag-off ceremony. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to APEDA for its immense help in facilitating this collaboration. He is optimistic about further expanding business opportunities in millets. They have ensured to continue importing more such consignments in future. The farmer has the complete value chain control from beginning to end which is essential for the buyers. Farmers grow millet in their fields, they do primary and secondary processing in their unit which also includes packaging of international quality.
This success story is an example of how the agriculture sector can be transformed. Farmers like Mr. Dilpreet can become major contributors to agricultural exports. It symbolizes the empowerment of local farmers to access international markets. Coarse grains are gaining popularity in the global market with current exports expected to increase from US$ 62.95 million in 2021-22 to US$ 75.45 million in 2022-23 and to US$ 45.46 million by April-November 2023. This is a significant increase in the export of other grains including value added coarse grain products. This is an increase of 12.4 percent compared to the same period last year.