Agricultural and Process Food Export Development Authority (APEDA)  and Gulfood 2023

Context: Recently, the Agricultural and Process Food Export Development Authority (APEDA)  participated in the 28th edition of Gulfood 2023 held in UAE.

About  the Agricultural and Process Food Export Development Authority (APEDA):

• It is a statutory body established by the Government of India under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act passed by the Parliament in 1985.
• The Authority replaced the Processed Food Export Promotion Council (PFEPC).
• Head Office: New Delhi
• It functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• APEDA also functions as the Secretariat to the National Accreditation Board (NAB) for the implementation of accreditation of the Certification Bodies under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) for organic exports.
• Chairman – appointed by the Central Government.

Functions :

• Development of industries relating to the scheduled products for export by way of providing financial assistance.
• Registration of persons as exporters of the scheduled products on payment of such fees as may be prescribed.
• Fixing standards and specifications for the scheduled products for the purpose of exports;
• Carrying out inspection of meat and meat products in slaughterhouses, processing plants, storage premises, conveyances, or other places
• Improving packaging of the Scheduled products;
• Improving marketing of the Scheduled products outside India.
• Promotion of export-oriented production and development of the Scheduled products.

APEDA is mandated with the responsibility of export promotion and development of the following scheduled products:

• Fruits, Vegetables and their Products.
• Meat and Meat Products.
• Poultry and Poultry Products.
• Dairy Products.
• Confectionery, Biscuits, and Bakery Products.
• Honey, Jaggery, and Sugar Products.
• Cocoa and its products, chocolates of all kinds.
• Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages.
• Cereal and Cereal Products.
• Groundnuts, Peanuts, and Walnuts.
• Pickles, Papads, and Chutneys.
• Guar Gum.
• Floriculture and Floriculture Products.
• Herbal and Medicinal Plants.
• De–oiled rice bran.
• Green pepper in brine.
• Cashew Nuts and Its Products.
• Basmati Rice has been included in the Second Schedule of the APEDA Act.
• APEDA has been entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring the import of sugar as well.

About Gulfood 2023:

• The 28th edition of Gulfood 2023 which was held in the UAE.
• GULFOOD which is a platform that connects food and beverage sectors around the globe.
• The Indian pavilion at Gulfood 2023 is one of the largest pavilions at the show to cater food product exports to more than 125 countries participating in the event.
• More than 50 Indian exporters from different categories like women entrepreneurs, Start-ups, merchants, and manufacturers showcasing agricultural, dairy, pulses, and meat-based produce with a focus on Millet and its products through the APEDA pavilion, are being showcased.
• Over the years APEDA has participated in Gulfood and brought a strong contingent of suppliers from the Indian diaspora.

Source:  PIB

Previous Year Questions

Q.1) Which of the following factors/policies were affecting the price of rice in India in the recent past? (2020)

1. Minimum Support Price
2. Government’s trading
3. Government’s stockpiling
4. Consumer subsidies

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1, 2, and 4 only
2. 1, 3, and 4 only
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q.2) In India, which of the following can be considered as public investment in agriculture? (2020)

1. Fixing Minimum Support Price for agricultural produce of all crops
2. Computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies
3. Social Capital Development
4. Free electricity supply to farmers
5. Waiver of agricultural loans by the banking system
6. Setting up of cold storage facilities by the governments.

In India, which of the following can be considered as public investment in agriculture?

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1, 2, and 5 only
2. 1, 3, 4, and 5 only
3. 2, 3, and 6 only
4. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6