In a significant step to position Chhattisgarh as a key hub for agricultural and processed food exports, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) inaugurated its regional office in Raipur during the 2nd India International Rice Summit held in the state. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Shri Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Medical Education, Government of Chhattisgarh, along with other dignitaries.
Chhattisgarh, with its rich and diverse agro-ecological landscape, holds substantial export potential across a wide range of products. These include premium non-Basmati rice varieties and Geographical Indication (GI) tagged rice such as Jeeraphool and Nagri Dubraj. The state also produces various fruits and vegetables including guava, banana, dragon fruit, jackfruit, custard apple, tomato, and cucumber, as well as important minor forest products such as mahua, tamarind, herbs, and medicinal plants—offering strong opportunities for global market penetration.
The new APEDA regional office in Raipur is expected to be a major catalyst for Chhattisgarh’s agricultural economy. It will provide services including export registration, advisory support, market intelligence, certification assistance, export facilitation, infrastructure development, and market linkages to farmers, producer groups, cooperatives, and exporters. Recently, the Raipur office assisted in the export of fortified rice from Chhattisgarh to Costa Rica and Papua New Guinea.
Addressing the occasion, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai described the office as a mission to connect Chhattisgarh’s farmers with the global economy. Highlighting the potential of the state’s farmers, exporters, and entrepreneurs in international agricultural markets, he expressed confidence that Chhattisgarh would play a leading role in high-value and long-term agricultural exports. He also thanked Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal for approving the APEDA office in Chhattisgarh and assured full support from the state for promoting the export of agricultural and organic products in collaboration with APEDA and the Department of Commerce.
The APEDA regional office inauguration coincided with the conclusion of the two-day India International Rice Summit organized by the Chhattisgarh Rice Exporters’ Association in collaboration with APEDA and other stakeholders. Special sessions were held to discuss measures for promoting organic rice exports and expanding the international market for GI-tagged and non-Basmati rice varieties from India.
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