Bhubaneswar, Jun 28 (Bureau) Odisha has the huge potential for export of paddy, wheat, and organic spices from the state, Chairman, CII ER Government Industry Agri and Food Processing Forum and Executive Director, ITC Limited B Sumant said Addressing the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) organized 10th edition of CII Farm2Fork here on Friday, Sumant said Odisha has the opportunities to increase the export of agricultural and food-processed products of the state. The state, he said being an agrarian state, can grab the opportunities in the exports and discussed the possibilities and challenges therein. Sumant said compared to other states, the use of fertilizers in paddy cultivation in Odisha is less adding that in such a situation, if the farmers focus on cultivating food safe paddy, it can be exported which is in huge demand in the international market.
Similarly, he said if quality wheat is grown, it can be purchased directly from the farmers by the food processing companies. The weather in the state is very friendly for organic farming. Organic spices can be grown and exported which have a huge demand in Europe, Sumant said. CII Eastern Region and Vice Chairman and Managing Director, RSB Transmissions (I) Limited Suvendra Kumar Behera, said that in order to export agricultural products, one has to first understand the needs of the international market. Emphasis has to be laid on quality standards and less use of fertilizers and pesticides, he said adding that “when we are thinking for the export, our quality level should be internationally acceptable otherwise it becomes difficult to export Agri products in the Global market. Behera said “We have to modernize completely as per the demand of the world, not for the country.
In the Global market,quality is the benchmark for selling products.We at CII are keen to focus on how to do the certification up to international standards for exports of the Agri product. Deputy High Commissioner, Bangladesh Andalib Elias, highlighted strong connectivity between India and Bangladesh by rail and waterways. He said that waterways are the cheapest after railway for transportation which can be leveraged to enhance trade between two sides. Elias said although Bangladesh is one of the major exporters of Rice, Potato and Spices, it lacks strength in adding value to those. Speaking on the occasionChairman, CII Odisha Council , Dr. Pradipta Mohanty said that while 60 percent of the state’s labour force is dependent on agriculture, increasing the income of farmers remains a challenge. He said Odisha is one of the major rice producing states in the country along with fruits and vegetables. Shrimps and prawns are also being produced and processed in large quantities in the state .