New Delhi: The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has played a pivotal role in supporting approximately 500 startups involved in the marketing and export of millet-based value-added products. In a remarkable achievement, farmer-turned-exporter Shri Dilpreet Singh from Sangrur marked his maiden export consignment, consisting of 14.3 metric tonnes of millets and its products, valued at USD 45,803. The Chairman of APEDA, Shri Abhishek Dev, ceremoniously flagged off the consignment.
The shipment encompasses an array of ready-to-cook millet products derived from Kodo millet, Foxtail millet, Little millet, Browntop millet, and Barnyard millet. Additionally, various flours sourced from Ragi, Jowar, Bajra, Foxtail, Kodo, Barnyard, Browntop, Little, and Proso millets were part of this unique export initiative.
During the virtual flag-off ceremony, Shri Jasvir Singh, the Sydney-based importer, expressed gratitude to APEDA for their comprehensive support in facilitating this collaboration. He remains optimistic about exploring further business opportunities and ensuring continued importation of such consignments in the future. Shri Dilpreet Singh exercises complete control over the value chain, from growing millets on his own farms to primary and secondary processing in his own unit, including packaging of international quality.
This success story serves as a testament to the transformative potential of the agricultural sector, with farmers like Shri Dilpreet becoming significant contributors to agri-export. It underscores the empowerment of local farmers venturing into international markets.
Millet exports have witnessed a commendable increase from USD 62.95 million in 2021-22 to USD 75.45 million in 2022-23, with the current export standing at USD 45.46 million from April to November 2023. Millets are gaining popularity in the global market, with a substantial rise in the export of cereal preparations, including value-added millet products, registering a growth of 12.4% over the same period last year.