• India has exported the first consignment of fig juice to Poland as part of its initiative to increase shipments of unique agro products from the country.

• The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the export of India’s first ready-to-drink fig juice, made from GI-tagged Purandar Figs, to Poland.

• The GI (geographical indication) tag provides legal protection to that item, preventing unauthorised use by others, and helps in promoting exports of the product.

Purandar Fig

• The distinct bell-shaped Purandar Fig with violet colour differentiates itself from other varieties. It has a sweet taste.

• The size of Purandar Fig is bigger than other varieties of fig. It has more than 80 per cent pulp or edible part. The pulp colour of Purandar Fig is pinkish red and is highly nutritious.

• Pune district is the leading region in Maharashtra regarding fig plantation. The fig is cultivated in many villages of Purandar taluk in Pune district.

• The agro-climatic factors such as dry weather, hilly slope, well drained medium land are essential for Purandar Fig cultivation.

• Fig variety cultivated in Pune region is also known as ‘Dive Anjir’.

What is APEDA?

• The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) was established by the government under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act passed by Parliament in December 1985. The Act came into effect on February 13, 1986.

• APEDA, which replaced the Processed Food Export Promotion Council (PFEPC), has its headquarters in New Delhi.

• Its headquarters is situated in New Delhi. It has 16 regional offices across India.

APEDA has been entrusted with the responsibility of export promotion and development of following scheduled products:

i) Fruits, Vegetables and their Products

ii) Meat and Meat Products

iii) Poultry and Poultry Products

iv) Dairy Products

v) Confectionery, Biscuits and Bakery Products

vi) Honey, Jaggery and Sugar Products

vii) Cocoa and its products, chocolates of all kinds

viii) Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Beverages

ix) Cereal and Cereal Products

x) Groundnuts, Peanuts and Walnuts

xi) Pickles, Papads and Chutneys

xii) Guar Gum

xiii) Floriculture and Floriculture Products

xiv) Herbal and Medicinal Plants

xv) De-oiled rice bran

xvi) Green pepper in brine

xvii) Cashew Nuts and its Products.

• In addition to this, APEDA has been entrusted with the responsibility to monitor the import of sugar as well.

• APEDA also functions as the Secretariat to the National Accreditation Board (NAB) for the implementation of accreditation of the Certification Bodies under National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) for organic exports.

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