Greens from the Ganga
The state government wants to export more fresh foodstuffs to the UAE from the region around Varanasi in northern India. The first delivery of 14 t of containerised vegetables to Dubai (UAE) has been completed successfully. Further consignments are in the pipeline.
The northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh (UP) is characterised by its strong agricultural base; overall, however, its economy is rather weak. Now the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) wants to promote foodstuffs exports from UP. In December 2019 Apeda teamed up with the UP government to organise the test delivery of a container carrying 14 t of vegetables from Varanasi on the river Ganga to Dubai (UAE).
The region around the holy city of Varanasi (Benares) has a great potential for the production of fruit and vegetables, which is why Apeda is planning to set up five agro-export hubs. The first one has already commenced operations in Varanasi itself; it handled the maritime test run to Dubai. India is the UAE’s most important supplier of food, accounting got approximately 20% of imports.
India–UAE reefer line
This was a first transport from UP, with others to follow. The Indian vegetable exporters association has signed an MoU with four local agricultural organisations; it envisages regular quality exports from the region. The conditions for the project are rather good in this northern area of the Subcontinent; two harvests a year are possible in many places in the fruitful Gangetic Plain.
