Lok Sabha Question No. 2412 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-15
Subject: International Millets Year
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Janardan Singh Sigriwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2412 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15 th  MARCH,2023

## INTERNATIONAL MILLETS YEAR

## 2412.  SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of blue print to meet the export demand during International Year of Millets 2023;
- (b) whether  export  development  authority  is  properly  equipped  with  experts  of  management, finance, legal, etc. and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the measures being taken by the Government to fill in experts in this regard?

## ANSWER

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## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a): The  Agricultural  &  Processed  Food  Products  Export  Development  Authority (APEDA) has been entrusted with the task of promoting Indian millets in the international market. The following steps, inter-alia, are  being taken to meet the export demand during International Year of Millets 2023:

- i. APEDA has published e-catalogues for 30 major millet importing countries and for 21 millet-producing  Indian  states.  The  e-catalogues  have  information  on  individual country  profile;  Indian  millets  and  millet  value-added  basket;  millet  production scenario, India's export of millets; international standards of millets; and contact list of exporters, startups, FPOs, importers, and Indian missions in the country.
- ii. APEDA has identified three knowledge partners - Indian Institute of Millet Research (IIMR);  Centre  of  Excellence  on  Millets  -  University  of  Agriculture  Sciences, Bengaluru; and Yes Bank. These knowledge partners collaborate for preparation of content for publication of millet promotion material; identification of participants for

the millet-promotion events to be organized by Indian Missions abroad; and millets value chain development.

- iii. APEDA has planned promotion of Indian millets across international trade fairs and hold B2B (business-to-business) meetings for the year 2023.
- iv. A millet-specific web portal has also been launched. The portal contains information about millets, their health benefits, production and export statistics, millet exporters' directory, and other relevant information.
- v. APEDA has been conducting capacity-building programs throughout the country to facilitate export of millet and millet products. Start-ups on millets are being mobilized for export promotion of value-added products such as Ready to Eat (RTE) and Ready to  Serve  (RTS)  categories,  including  noodles,  pasta,  breakfast  cereal  mix,  biscuits, cookies, snacks, sweets, and other millet-based products.
- vi. A knowledge book titled "Superfood Millets: A USD 2 Billion Export Opportunity for India" has been published by APEDA, in association with a knowledge partner. This book will help the prospective exporters of millets.
- vii. An e-platform for Virtual Trade Fairs (VTFs) has been created specifically for millets. This platform is designed to invite buyers and visitors from across the globe to interact with exhibitors showcasing millet-based products.
- viii. APEDA has stepped into brand building of Indian millets; ' Shree Anna' to promote the consumption of millets and to create a niche market for Indian millets across the globe. Various sampling and tasting campaigns are being organized at significant destinations. Millets  and  millet-products  are  being  promoted  using  cutting-edge  comprehensive campaigns; encompassing social media, and digital branding.

(b) & (c): In order to reorient APEDA and enable it to effectively pursue market access, provide commercial intelligence, promote quality and adherence to standards in agriculture exports, and handle Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) issues, the Government has approved restructuring of APEDA. Creation of 20 new posts has been approved under the restructuring plan. The restructuring plan also enables APEDA to hire Subject Matter Experts in various fields for a specific purpose and time.

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