Expanding regional presence
APEDA expands outreach with new offices in Patna Raipur and Dehradun: The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has announced the opening of new regional offices in Patna, Raipur, and Dehradun. This expansion aims to provide closer institutional support to exporters from eastern and central India.
Currently, APEDA has 16 regional offices across the country in cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kochi, and Varanasi. With these three additions, the network will strengthen its presence in underserved states.
Static GK fact: APEDA was established in 1986 under the APEDA Act and functions as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Why the new offices are crucial
The newly launched offices will help exporters with documentation, shipments, and capacity building. They will reduce dependency on distant centers and ensure faster services for farmers and small-scale traders.
Eastern and central India contribute heavily to cereals, pulses, horticulture, and organic products, but institutional assistance has been limited. These offices bridge the gap between producers and global markets.
Static GK Tip: India is the world’s second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables, after China.
Key functions of APEDA
APEDA’s role goes beyond paperwork. Its functions include:
- Registration of exporters and maintaining a national database.
- Framing quality standards for packaging, labeling, and traceability.
- Developing agri-export infrastructure for specific products.
- Organizing international trade fairs and buyer-seller meets.
This system ensures India’s agri-produce maintains global competitiveness while giving farmers access to premium markets.
Strategic importance of Patna Raipur and Dehradun
Patna is known for litchi, mangoes, and grains, making it a strong candidate for export infrastructure. Raipur connects to Chhattisgarh’s rice belt and tribal agricultural produce. Dehradun offers access to Uttarakhand’s organic and horticultural crops.
Establishing offices in these cities supports India’s wider objective of doubling agri-exports and bringing more states into global trade.
Static GK fact: India’s agri-exports crossed USD 53 billion in 2022–23, a record high in the country’s trade history.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
APEDA expands outreach with new offices in Patna Raipur and Dehradun:
| Topic | Detail |
| APEDA Headquarters | New Delhi |
| Year of Establishment | 1986 |
| Parent Ministry | Ministry of Commerce and Industry |
| Current Regional Offices | 16 existing before new additions |
| New Offices | Patna, Raipur, Dehradun |
| Patna Agri Focus | Litchi, mangoes, grains, vegetables |
| Raipur Agri Focus | Rice, tribal produce |
| Dehradun Agri Focus | Organic crops, horticulture |
| Key Functions | Export facilitation, standards, trade fairs |
| India Agri Export Value 2022–23 | USD 53 billion |
