India exports 30 tonnes of jaggery to Bangladesh

The Indian government announced the export of 30 metric tonnes of GI-tagged jaggery to Bangladesh from western Uttar Pradesh. This event took place on January 30, 2025. It marks a new phase in direct exports of jaggery through Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs). Prasanna Chaudhary, an MLA from Shamli, praised the high quality of jaggery produced in Muzaffarnagar and Shamli. He noted that it is popular in international markets. Chaudhary thanked the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) for its support in making this export possible. Dr. Ritesh Sharma, Joint Director of the Basmati Export Development Foundation (BEDF), emphasized the importance of empowering FPOs for direct agricultural exports. He said this approach helps farmers receive greater benefits. The Brijnandan Agro Farmer Producer Company, formed in 2023, consists of 545 members, including two women directors. They export not only jaggery but also sugarcane products, Basmati rice, and pulses. The BEDF has provided training and technical support to help FPO members meet international standards. This is the third successful export initiative from Uttar Pradesh’s FPOs, following previous exports of Basmati rice to Lebanon and Oman. This particular FPO is the only one in the state to receive financial assistance under the Agri Export Policy. Overall, this initiative aims to enhance agricultural exports from Uttar Pradesh. It seeks to empower farmers and contribute to a sustainable future for India's agriculture sector.