The Chintan Shivir, organized by the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) on May 4, 2025, in New Delhi, marked a significant step towards boosting India’s agricultural and processed food exports. Hosted at Vanijya Bhawan, this first-of-its-kind collaborative dialogue brought together over 70 stakeholders from the Union Government, 14 state governments, industry leaders, and academia to strategize export enhancement.
Overview of the Chintan Shivir
The Chintan Shivir, facilitated by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and APEDA, aimed to address logistical barriers, enhance market access, and promote innovation in India’s agri-export sector. Key details include:
- Date: May 4, 2025
- Location: Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi
- Co-Chairs: Shri Sunil Barthwal (Commerce Secretary), Shri Subrata Gupta (MoFPI Secretary)
- Participants: Senior officials, 14 states (Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal), industry leaders (LT Foods, KRBL, Amul, Organic India, ITC, Meatzza, Suguna Foods, Kaybee, TPCI, Allanasons, Fair Exports, HMA Exports), and academia
- Objective: Formulate strategies to enhance exports of agricultural and processed food products through R&D, infrastructure development, and stakeholder synergy
Commerce Secretary Shri Sunil Barthwal emphasized the role of academia in driving research and development (R&D) for innovation and sustainability, stating, “Academia and research institutions must be part of multisectoral consultations so that R&D can be a major focus for innovation and sustainability in agri exports.”
Key Themes and Discussions
The Shivir focused on reducing logistical barriers, improving market access, and aligning with international standards. Shri Subrata Gupta, MoFPI Secretary, highlighted the need for infrastructure development, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards, and value addition to ensure sustainable export growth. He identified high-potential sectors like alcoholic beverages, nutraceuticals, and value-added products.
Shri Rajesh Agrawal, Special Secretary, Department of Commerce, stressed a synergetic approach among stakeholders to expand into new geographies, emphasizing collaboration between the Union government, states, industry, and farming communities.
Smt. Varsha Joshi, Additional Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, contributed to discussions on animal products, focusing on value chain improvements and compliance with international norms.
Breakout Sessions: Sector-Specific Strategies
The Shivir was divided into five parallel technical breakout sessions, each focusing on specific agri-trade commodities and processed food sectors. Key insights include:
1. Basmati and Non-Basmati Rice
- Participants: States (Punjab, Haryana, Telangana), industry (LT Foods, KRBL)
- Focus: Overcoming export barriers, financial/policy support, and branding strategies
- Context: Rice exports surged 21% in FY2024 to $11 billion after easing restrictions in September 2024.
2. Animal Products
- Participants: Key exporters, state representatives
- Focus: Value chain improvements, international compliance (SPS standards)
- Context: APEDA oversees meat, poultry, and dairy exports, with buffalo meat identified as a high-potential product.
3. Horticulture
- Participants: States (Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh), companies (Kaybee)
- Focus: Quality enhancement, logistics improvement, industry-academia linkages
- Context: Fresh fruits and vegetables saw 32.6% and 144.32% YoY export growth in FY2024, respectively.
4. Processed Foods
- Participants: Britannia, Haldiram’s
- Focus: Value addition, regulatory streamlining, global branding
- Context: High-potential sectors include alcoholic beverages and nutraceuticals.
5. Organic Products
- Participants: Organic India, Amul, ITC, FSSAI
- Focus: Expanding India’s global organic market footprint
- Context: Over 10 lakh farmers are registered under APEDA’s National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP).
APEDA’s Role in Agri Exports
Established in 1985 under the APEDA Act, APEDA promotes exports of scheduled products, including fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, cereals, and organic products. It also oversees Basmati rice exports and monitors sugar imports. Key functions include:
- Setting quality standards and specifications
- Improving packaging and marketing
- Promoting export-oriented production
- Managing SPS and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) issues
APEDA’s Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) supports exporters by funding infrastructure like packhouses, pre-cooling units, and pre-shipment treatment facilities to meet international SPS requirements.
Significance for India’s Export Strategy
The Chintan Shivir aligns with India’s goal to double its share in the $400 billion global agri and processed food market, where India currently holds a 2.23% share ($9 billion in 2022). Key outcomes include:
- Infrastructure Development: Focus on post-harvest handling, cold storage, and processing facilities to reduce spoilage
- SPS Compliance: Aligning with international norms to overcome trade barriers
- R&D and Innovation: Collaborating with academia for improved varieties and value addition
- Market Expansion: Targeting new geographies for products like rice, buffalo meat, and organic foods
The event supports India’s Agriculture Export Policy, aiming to harness crop diversity, strengthen trade relationships, and address structural challenges like low productivity and poor infrastructure.
Why It Matters for Competitive Exams
The Chintan Shivir is a high-priority topic due to its relevance to economic policy, agricultural trade, and international relations. Key reasons include:
- Economic Development: Aligns with India’s export-led growth strategy under Atmanirbhar Bharat
- Current Affairs: Likely to feature in MCQs and essays due to its multi-stakeholder approach and policy focus
- Global Trade: Addresses SPS, TBT, and market access issues, critical for understanding trade barriers
- SDG Alignment: Supports SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)
Key Points for Revision
For quick memorization, focus on these facts:
- Event: APEDA Chintan Shivir, May 4, 2025, New Delhi
- Co-Chairs: Sunil Barthwal (Commerce), Subrata Gupta (MoFPI)
- Key Participants: Rajesh Agrawal, Varsha Joshi, 14 states, industry (LT Foods, KRBL, Amul, ITC)
- Sectors: Basmati/Non-Basmati Rice, Animal Products, Horticulture, Processed Foods, Organic Products
- Focus Areas: Infrastructure, SPS standards, R&D, market access
- Export Growth: Rice ($11B, FY2024), fresh vegetables (144.32% YoY growth)
Conclusion
The APEDA Chintan Shivir 2025 underscores India’s commitment to boosting agri and processed food exports through infrastructure, R&D, and stakeholder synergy. For competitive exam aspirants, this event offers rich material for questions on economic policy, trade, and agriculture.
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