Online training program titled "ECHO - Agri Trade Logistics, Regulations, and Documentation for Exports in Agri and Allied Sectors" from June 25th to 29th, 2024
India, as one of the world's largest agrarian economies, plays a pivotal role in global agricultural trade. The Indian National Agriculture Policy (NAP) emphasizes demand-driven agricultural growth, both domestically and internationally, aligning with the nation's push towards economic liberalization and export-led growth. Recent WTO trade liberalizations and multilateral negotiations have further highlighted the importance of accessing international agricultural commodity markets. In the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, India's agricultural exports reached an unprecedented ₹5 lakh crore ($60.6 billion), reflecting the country's significant presence in global markets. Simultaneously, agricultural imports also hit a record high of ₹3.2 lakh crore ($38.7 billion). This dynamic trade environment underscores the need for a robust understanding of agri trade logistics, regulations, and documentation to maximize export potential and maintain competitive advantage. Recognizing these imperatives, the Extension Education Institute (EEI) in Hyderabad organized a comprehensive online training program titled "ECHO - Agri Trade Logistics, Regulations, and Documentation for Exports in Agri and Allied Sectors" from June 25th to 29th, 2024. Contents covered in the programme were – Introduction to Agri trade & Export Documentation, Agri trade Logistics Export Policies & Regulations in Agriculture, Quality controls, Standards & Certifications for Exports in Agri & Allied Sectors, Quality packaging labelling and pricing guidelines for Agri Production Exports, Trade finance, Payment methods & Custom Clearance procedures in Agri Exports, Exim policy and Financial Assistance for Exporters Market Research, Export readiness & Documentation procedures in Agri. sector. Role of FSSAI in export of Agri and Allied products, Innovative models for exports in Agri & Allied sectors, Digital Tools & Platforms in Agri trade FPOs in promotion of Agri Tade and Agri Exports, Government Support Schemes & initiatives in agri and allied Sectors, Gender budgeting for Mainstreaming Gender in agri and allied sectors, Case Studies in Agri Exports. During the inaugural ceremony on June 25th, 2024, Dr. M. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Director of EEI, Hyderabad, greeted the participants and emphasized that the initiative was aimed to equip them with essential knowledge and skills that are necessary to navigate the complexities of agri trade and export procedures effectively. By focusing on crucial topics such as quality controls, export policies, and digital tools, the program aimed to empower farmers and exporters to achieve greater success in international markets. He encouraged the participants to embark on this training journey and there by strengthen India's position in global agri trade. During the valedictory ceremony on June 29th, 2024, Dr. M. Jagan Mohan Reddy extended heartfelt congratulations to all participants for their active engagement and dedication. He highlighted that over the past few days, the program covered vital aspects of agri trade logistics, from regulatory frameworks to practical digital tools. The Director expressed confidence that the knowledge gained would significantly contribute to the participants' endeavours in the agri export sector. He thanked everyone for their participation and wished them all the best in their future engagements on exports. He encouraged everyone to continue driving excellence in agri trade and exports.
Feedback from Participants:
- Many participants expressed that the program introduced new concepts and would be highly useful in guiding export entrepreneurs in their jurisdictions.
- Officers from Andaman shared that their knowledge was previously limited to the export of arecanut within the islands. With the training, they now feel equipped to guide their farmers to take up exports of arecanut outside the islands.
- An officer from Tamil Nadu suggested including more case studies of real-time export entrepreneurs in future programs.
- Officers from Andhra Pradesh expressed that the program provided an excellent platform for them to network with peers, experts, and industry stakeholders. This networking opportunity was considered invaluable for sharing knowledge, experiences, and best practices, as well as for forming potential collaborations for future agri export initiatives.
- Officers from Kerala, appreciated the tailored content that addressed specific needs of different regions in agriculture and allied sectors. The customization of topics like regional export opportunities and sector-specific regulations made the training more relevant and impactful.
- Officers from Tamil Nadu and Telangana in particular and others in general enthusiastically appreciated the panel discussion for its insightful expert inputs and interactive format. They found the expert guidance on challenges in agri exports and the comprehensive A to Z on exports particularly enlightening, providing a clear roadmap for navigating complexities in international trade. The opportunity to present sector-specific case studies and real-time challenges fostered a deeper understanding of practical issues faced by export entrepreneurs across diverse sectors. Participants valued the expert panel's responsive approach in addressing their queries and providing actionable solutions tailored to their specific challenges. Overall, the session was praised for its relevance, practicality, and interactive nature, equipping participants with valuable knowledge to enhance their roles in agri export sectors effectively.
