APEDA is collaborating with Uttarakhand Agriculture Produce Marketing Board (UKAPMB) and Just Organik to source and process ragi (finger millet), and jhingora (barnyard millet) from farmers in Uttarakhand for exports, which meets the organic certification standards of the European Union (EU).

UKAPMB procured millets directly from organic farmers which have been processed in the state-of-art processing unit built by Mandi Board and operated by Just Organik.

“Millets are unique agricultural products from India which have significant demand in the global market. We will continue to carry out export promotion for the millets with a special focus on products sourced from Himalayas,” said by Mr M Angamuthu, Chairman, APEDA.

The exports of millets to Denmark would expand opportunities in European countries and support the farmers who are adopting organic farming practices.

India’s exports of organic food products, including millets and cereals had grown 51 per cent year-on-year to USD 1 billion (Rs. 7,078 crore) in 2020-21.

At present, organic products are exported provided they are produced, processed, packed and labelled as per the requirements of the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) implemented by APEDA and recognised by the EU and Switzerland. This enables India to export unprocessed plant products to these countries without the requirement of additional certifications.