Dibrugarh: The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in collaboration with the Indian Chamber of Commerce today organised a meeting of the international buyers and sellers here to promote the exports of the potential agricultural and processed food items of Assam and other north-eastern States.

The two-day meeting saw the participation of a host of big international buyers from Bangladesh and Nepal as well as buyers from the country. The meeting was also attended-ed by representatives from the host State and the Central government, leaders from farmer producer organiations besides other stakeholders.

The buyers interacted with exporters and producers of the region. They also showed keen interest in exploring the potential of agricultural products such as lemon, ginger, turmeric, fruits, etc., of the region.

At the inaugural programme, Prabhat Kumar Bezbarua, Co-Chairman of North East Region of Indian Chamber of Commerce while delivering his welcome address said that the agricultural export in the country has started dipping alarmingly. "There has been a drop in the percentage of agricultural farm produce, as compared to total export. This is not because the country's total export volume has come down or due to the fact that volumes of other exports have gone up. Actually, the rate of inflation in the value of farm produce is lower than the rate of inflation in the values of other commodities. If the prices of farm products do not increase in comparison to other commodities, the agricultural sector will continue to lag behind," said Bezbarua.

He stressed value addition and quality of products to capture the international market.

Sunita Rai, Assistant General Manager, APEDA spoke on the scope of agriculture exports from the North East region. She said that the region has not been fully utilized in terms of its potential. "There is a huge scope for export of unique products of the region as it shares nearly 98% of its border with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, and China. The region has the scope for promoting its unique products like scented Assam lemon, Assam's black rice, and red rice and bhoot jolokia (King Chilly)," Rai observed.

Ishantor Sobhapandit, Regional Director-NER & Joint Director, Indian Chamber of Commerce, and Md Atik Hussain from Bangladesh also briefly addressed the gathering.

At the meeting venue, a wide range of agricultural and horticultural products were also displayed at an exhibition.