This comes after a consignment of millets grown in Uttarakhand was exported to Denmark in May

The export of agricultural produce from Uttarakhand has received a major boost with the first consignment of vegetables including curry leaf, okra, pear and bitter gourd being shipped to the United Rab Emirates.

The vegetables, sourced from the farmers of Haridwar, was exported to Dubai on Monday.

The export of vegetables come after a consignment of millets grown in Uttarakhand was exported to Denmark in May this year, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said.

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), in collaboration with Uttarakhand Agriculture Produce Marketing Board (UKAPMB) & Just Organik, an exporter, had sourced & processed ragi (finger millet), and jhingora (barnyard millet) from farmers in Uttarakhand for exports, which meets the organic certification standards of the European Union.

The Uttarakhand government has been supporting organic farming. UKAPMB, through a unique initiative, has been supporting thousands of farmers for organic certification. These farmers produce mainly millets such as Ragi, Barnyard millet, Amaranthus etc.

The ministry pointed out that APEDA has been carrying out promotional activities to bring Uttarakhand on the agricultural and processed food products export map of India.

APEDA is also planning to provide financial assistance for setting up a pack house in Uttarakhand. This would fulfil the mandatory requirement or infrastructure for export of fresh fruits and vegetables to the international market.

According to the ministry, the agency will continue to focus on the Uttarakhand region both in terms of capacity building, quality upgradation, and infrastructure development. It seeks to link buyers to farmers through strengthening the entire supply chain of agricultural produce.

In 2020-21, India exported fruits and vegetables valued at Rs 11,019 crore compared. This was nearly nine per cent more than the Rs 10,114 crore worth of exports in 2019-20.