Tamil Nadu, a state with significant agricultural potential due to its warm tropical, hilly, coastal, and semi-arid weather conditions, has established the Tamil Nadu Agricultural Export Promotion (TNAPEx) agency to enhance food processing and agricultural exports. TNAPEx's key strategies include Value Chain Development, which integrates farmers, investors, traders, import suppliers, marketing agencies, and other stakeholders to promote sustainable growth and competitiveness within specific geographical areas.
To revitalize existing Primary Processing Centres, TNAPEx is establishing food processing business incubation centres in Dharmapuri, Nilgiris, and Dindigul districts. The agency is also creating a facility to extract silica from rice husk, tapping into the economically valuable compounds of agricultural produce and biomass.
Quality testing laboratories are being set up in Madurai, Trichy, Coimbatore, and Vellore to ensure that agricultural products meet international quality standards, boosting their marketability. Business Incubation Training Scholars (TNAPEx BITS) are being launched to train over 25 graduates in the current year, equipping them with the necessary skills to initiate, sustain, and grow food processing businesses.
Manpower development and training are being initiated by TNAPEx in collaboration with reputable institutions to build a robust workforce in the agricultural sector. Geographical Indications (GI) for local products such as Chettinad Kai Murukku, Seedai, Ramnad Pattarai Karuvadu (Dry Fish), Ramnad Palmyra Sugar Crystals, Kovilpatti Seeval, and Tamil Nadu Idli are being worked on to enhance the visibility and marketability of these unique products both domestically and internationally.
TNAPEx regularly conducts outreach programs, including Farmers Training, Stakeholder Consultation Meetings, B2B meets, E-Commerce Workshops, and virtual interactions with international buyers. The government schemes supporting TNAPEx initiatives include the RAMP Program, which focuses on the transformation of food processing through technology and funding support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The Theni Banana Cluster aims to enhance the entire value chain, from cultivation to marketing. The Tamil Nadu Agro Industrial Corridor (TNAIC) is being developed in delta districts to address infrastructural deficits, create agro-processing industries, and develop a supportive ecosystem for MSMEs in the agricultural sector. The Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme modernizes and enhances the competitiveness of micro food processing units, providing credit-linked capital subsidies, seed capital for self-help group members, and branding and marketing support.
In conclusion, TNAPEx and its various initiatives are poised to significantly enhance Tamil Nadu's agricultural productivity and export capabilities. By focusing on value chain development, quality assurance, training, and strategic partnerships, TNAPEx is transforming the agricultural landscape of the state, ensuring sustainable growth and competitiveness in the global market.
BalaSarvesh
BM Correspondent Chennai