The Hindu Business Line : Focus to be on 4 agri-export zones

The AEZs have been taken up on a war footing; they will provide opportunities for under-represented States which have potential for growth —Jairam Ramesh

G. Srinivasan

New Delhi, Jan. 18 The Department of Commerce has zeroed in on four agri-export zones (AEZs) for development of infrastructure with funds from Assistance to States for Developing Export Infrastructure and Allied Activities (ASIDE).

Official sources told Business Line here that out of 60 AEZs sanctioned in 20 States, the performance has been patchy.

Hence a peer evaluation of the performance of the existing AEZs with a view to ascertaining the factors for shortfall in achieving targets and suggesting remedies was carried out.

Based on the findings of the evaluation and in consultation with stakeholders including the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation and State governments, it has been decided not to sanction new AEZs till the functioning of the currently sanctioned AEZ is stabilised.

Meanwhile, based on the findings of the peer assessment report, the constitution of State-level coordination committee and monitoring committee has been laid.

As part of the ongoing process, under ASIDE scheme, development of four AEZs has been proposed. These include, one AEZ for pineapple in West Bengal, one for mango pulp and fresh vegetables in Chittor district, one for flowers and orchids and cheery pepper in East Sikkim and one for fresh and processed ginger in Assam.

Even as the Agriculture and Processed Food Export Development Authority (APEDA) is not the nodal agency for providing financial assistance for development of the AEZs, the sources said the AEZs envisage convergence of all the ongoing schemes of Central and State governments including those of APEDA, National Horticulture Mission and other development agencies.

When contacted, the Minister of State for Commerce, Mr Jairam Ramesh, confirmed that four AEZs have been taken up on a vigorous footing and also in order to provide opportunities for under-represented States which have potential for growth of farm produce.

focused thrust

He said that he had made a personal visit to APEDA office recently in order to sensitise the organisation and its personnel to give a focused thrust to under-represented States such as North East and Jammu and Kashmir and largely of the Eastern India.

He said that within a budget of Rs 70 crore APEDA had been carrying on multiple tasks in an excellent manner and this under-funding would have to be addressed.

HR strategy

Mr Ramesh said that the Commerce Ministry has been studying the formulation of human resource strategy for APEDA made by Ferguson & Co and said the evolution of new activities of APEDA including AEZ, infrastructure development and upgradation, quality and research and development activities, market development and opening of new markets and national programme for organic production and WTO issues demand restructuring of the organisation in a rational way and the work is currently exercising the Ministry.

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