APEDA to introduce norms, QA checks for fresh fruit, veg exports to EU [ Transfreez Mobile refrigeration - India's most effective cold plate reefers ]

With effect from April 1, 2014, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) would introduce regulations and quality assurance (QA) checks for fresh fruit and vegetables exported to the member nations of the European Union (EU), which has been importing a number of products from India, but has warned the country about strict action - which could also be a export ban - unless the situation improves.

During the visits by its missions to India, the European Union’s Food and Veterinary Office (EU-FVO) - responsible for framing legislations on food safety in the EU member nations - raised concerns about the interceptions of harmful organisms in the fresh fruit and vegetable consignments that were exported to various EU member nations. The National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) assured the EU that India was committed to providing it safe, pest-free fruit and vegetables.

In a statement issued by APEDA, the authority stated that all fruit and vegetables exported to the EU would be routed through pack houses authorised by it, adding that the inspections and examinations of the export consignments would be conducted at these facilities under the supervision of plant quarantine personnel.

APEDA’s regional offices have already conducted sensitisation programmes to apprise traders about the scenario. The statement, signed by APEDA’s director R K Boyal, said exporters have been advised to gear up to meet the stringent requirements. He warned them that NPPO would not issue phytosanitary certificates to those export consignments that failed to meet them.

Confirming that Indian exporters faced hurdles while exporting fruit and vegetables to the EU, Ayush Bhandari, proprietor, Bhandari Overseas, said, “The exporters are aware of the rules imposed by APEDA, and have increased the quality of their products.” He opined that they were a step in the right direction, adding that they would help our products reach international standards. “In order to survive in the global market, adhering to these norms is very important,” Bhandari said.

Transfreez Mobile refrigeration - India's most effective cold plate reefers

Source: fnbNews.com

India Grows Close to 270 Million Tonne Fruits and Vegetables [Transfreez Mobile Refrigeration-India's Most Effective Cold Chain Reefers]

Crop Clusters, Farmer-Producer Organisations, Cold Storage Capacity Help in Fast Growth in Eleventh Plan

With a production of 269 million tonnes in 2012-13, the horticulture sector has emerged as a major contributor to the food basket of the country.

Horticulture production grew by more than 8% during the last decade. As compared to the production of 257 million tonnes in the previous year and 215 million tonnes about five years ago, there has been significant jump in the horticulture production, thereby leading to higher per capita availability of horticulture produce like fruits and vegetables having high domestic consumption, besides other commodities like spices, cashew etc. having high export potential.

India is now the world's largest producer of Mango, Banana, Papaya, Pomegranate, Sapota, Aonla and Okra and has the second highest position in Brinjal, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Onion, Potato and Peas. Tomatoes are also produced in sizable quantity.

This has been possible on account of the Governmental interventions under the schemes of National Horticulture Mission (NHM), Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayas States (HMNEH), National Mission on Micro Irrigation (NMMI), National Horticulture Board (NHB), Coconut Development Board (CDB) and Vegetable Initiative for Urban Clusters(VIUC). While the NHM covers 66 crop clusters in 383 districts in 18 States & 4 UTs, the coverage is in all the districts of HMNEH States. Under NMMI, about 4 million hectares have been brought under improved irrigation systems such as drip and sprinkler irrigation.

Under VIUC scheme, about 4 lakh farmers were mobilized into 23,000 Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs) and 192 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), besides providing technical support and assistance for taking up cultivation of vegetables in open field and protected cover. National Centre for Cold Chain Development (NCCD) has been addressing the issues on cold chain infrastructure particularly in introducing standards and protocols related to cold chain testing, verification, certification and accreditation as per International norms. Cold storage capacity of over 30 million tonnes has been created out of which about 2 million tonnes was created during the last two years.

The momentum generated during XIth Plan will be accelerated during the XIIth plan by implementing the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), by subsuming six ongoing schemes on horticulture. The Mission would give focus on production of quality planting material, enhancement of production through productivity improvement measures, creation of infrastructure for reducing post harvest losses, besides setting up markets for improved marketing of horticulture produce. Mobilization of farmers into Farmer Producer Organizations and strengthening of horticulture statistics are added feature of the scheme. MIDH will cover all states & UTs in the country and would cover all horticulture crops, including bamboo.

Transfreez Mobile Refrigeration-India's Most Effective Cold Chain Reefers
Source: Business Standard