KAKINADA: In a significant development, rice exports from the deep water port began here on Friday.
The shipment of 32,250 metric tonnes of broken rice, bound for a West African port, was formerly flagged-off by chairman of Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) M. Angamuthu.
Present on the occasion were East Godavari district collector D. Muralidhar Reddy, Joint Collector G. Lakshmisha and commerce and industries export department director G.V.S. Subrahmanyam. Angamuthu said that it was a historic moment for Kakinada port and the state. He expressed hope that rice exports from the port would grow by leaps and bounds.
He said that an action plan has been drawn to promote Indian non-basmati rice abroad. He said that the focus should be on the quality of rice exports in order to earn the confidence of importing nations. He said that APEDA was introducing new measures so that farmers’ revenue for their agricultural products would increase up to three times. During an interaction with rice exporters, he said that rice exporters from the district are sending quality rice. APEDA would bring a global-level brand status to AP rice soon he said.
Lakshmisha said that traditionally rice is being exported through the anchorage port, but the port has a limited capacity and therefore, the state’s potential could not be tapped. But, now, there is a possibility of trebling rice exports annually from the current level of two million tonne through anchorage and deep water port. He said that steps were being taken to ensure that employment of port workers would not be affected.
Subrahmanyam said that agriculture and food processing sectors would be developed vastly. He said that the government was taking steps for creating infrastructure facilities, developing marketing facilities, taking steps for giving proper prices for agricultural products. He said that Andhra Pradesh is having a worldwide marketing recognition for its thrust on quality.
APEDA general manager S.S. Nayyar, regional manager N.C. Lohakare, Kakinada Sea Ports Limited CEO M. Muralidhar, state exporters wing joint Director G.S. Rao, Rice Exporters Association president B.V. Krishna Rao and others were present.
