Officials along with the participants during the capacity-building programme held at the District Horticulture Office in Mokokchung on June 3.
Mokokchung, June 4 (MExN): A capacity-building programme aimed at promoting exports of ginger, banana and passion fruit from Nagaland was organised in Mokokchung district on June 3 by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), North Eastern Region, in collaboration with the District Horticulture Office, Mokokchung.
The programme, held at the District Horticulture Office, was chaired by District Horticulture Officer (DHO) Dr B Temjinmenla and attended by 73 participants, including farmers, officials from various departments, APEDA representatives and exporters.
The event began with opening remarks by Horticulture Inspector Tekasangla Ozukum. Addressing the gathering, Dr Temjinmenla stressed the need to harness the export potential of locally grown horticultural crops and encouraged farmers to explore opportunities in processing, value addition and exports to expand their market reach.
Among those present were Senior Scientist and Head of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Wokha, Dr Keviletsu Khate; Agriculture Officers Imkongtoshi and Kilang Chuba; National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NSRLM) Area Coordinators Temsurenla and Imsurenla Jamir; District Industries Department inspectors Renben and Asula Imlong; representatives of APEDA North Eastern Region; exporter M/s Jingshai Enterprises of Guwahati; and farmers.
According to the organisers, the programme sought to create awareness among stakeholders on APEDA’s role in promoting agricultural exports, export opportunities from the North East, quality and packaging standards, export documentation requirements and related procedures.
Joydev Roy, Business Development Manager, APEDA Regional Office, North Eastern Region, delivered a detailed presentation on products covered under APEDA, the authority’s role in export promotion, export documentation processes and financial assistance schemes available to exporters. He also demonstrated the process of obtaining Import Export Code (IEC) and Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) through the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) portal.
Interacting with participants, Dr Khate spoke on pre-harvest and post-harvest management practices for horticultural produce and highlighted the importance of processing and exports in enhancing market access and farmers’ income.
Exporter Rajeev Medhi of M/s Jingshai Enterprises, Guwahati, shared his experiences in exporting agricultural produce from the North East. He elaborated on critical aspects of handling export consignments from farm to customs, including harvesting techniques, pre-cooling, packaging and quality maintenance.
Participants were also encouraged to subscribe to and follow APEDA’s social media platforms, including YouTube and Instagram, through a common QR code. Around 10 participants subscribed to the platforms during the programme.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Maongsenla Pongen, Horticulture Extension Assistant, District Horticulture Office, Mokokchung.
