The introduction of designated agri-export zones for certain fresh produce lines by the Indian government is bringing benefits to consumers as well as producers.
The zones for onions, Alphonso mangoes, Kesar mangoes and pomegranates are all now operational and help traders to export their products with reduced costs as the government provides tax benefits.
This not only benefits the supply chain in India and beyond, but means consumers on the local market have seen a fall in prices. Ram Morde, a vendor at Crawford Market in India said: “It’s good news for consumers. Prices are around 35 per cent lower than last year.” Production conditions have also been good for mangoes and pomegrantates so that quality on offer is excellent and volumes are in excess of export market demands.
The main objective in setting up agri-export zones was to encourage an integrated approach for improvement in quality, production enhancement, greater local and export sales and the provision of access to international markets and better returns to growers.
There are a total of four zones - one for each of the product lines. Some 1,000 growers have received training in the onion zone and a specialist onion-grading line has been set up near Pune.
Facilities in the heart of the Alphonso mango area inlcude two packhouses that wash, grade, pack, pre-cool and store the fruit in Sindhudurga and Ratnagiri.
