In an attempt to encourage farmers for their active participation in agriculture export business for the betterment of farmers belonging to Scheduled Cast (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (Scheduled Tribes), Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), on Friday organised one day workshop cum training programme for them at Bero in Ranchi districts which is horticultural products hub.

Around 50 progressive farmers from adjoining areas of Bero and registered exporter from across the State participated and shared views on the occasion. In the meeting, apart from officers associated with Krishi Vigyan Kendra and Agriculture Department were present. It was discussed in detail how to export Mahua, lemongrass, green vegetables, fruits, rice and wheat being grown by the farmers of the block to other countries during the meeting,

Speaking as Chief Guest Social Worker and progressive farmer, Sunny Toppo said that the farmers of the block grow different types of vegetables here by working hard, but due to various reasons and lack of market they are not getting proper price of their products. If the crops of the farmers are sold at the right price in the markets, then the economic condition of the farmers will improve, he added.

Toppo also demanded from APEDA to conduct an awareness campaign among the farmers of the village and to set up a cold storage in Bero at the earliest.

To benefit the farmers, the businessmen who came to participate in the meeting told that the farmers of the block are growing crops and green vegetables in an organic way, its quality should be improved, care will have to be taken, only then it can be exported to other countries.

Speaking on the occasion, Regional In charge, APEDA, Sandeep Saha, informed about the purpose of the program and said that such programs are being organized to promote exports from the State. He said that the farmers of Jharkhand are very hardworking and they are working hard and growing variety of vegetables, fresh fruits, food grains, honey and organic crops in their fields. Farmers are being made aware about exporting some of the major crops grown by them to other countries, he added.

Saha said that APEDA is primarily an export promotion organization under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India and the main objective of this organization is to encourage export of major crops grown by the farmers.

Speaking as resource person, Birsa Agriculture University (BAU), Professor BK Jha said that Jharkhand has a good potential for exports of fresh fruits and vegetables, food grains, honey and organic products to the overseas markets. This is the demand to organize such programmes which provide a platform to farmers of the State to sell their products at a proper price, he added.