The National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL) and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost India’s agricultural exports through the cooperative sector. The initiative aims to provide farmers with better market value while strengthening India’s presence in international trade.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani, Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation. He highlighted that integrating NCEL’s extensive network with APEDA’s export facilitation would make it easier to connect farmers with global markets, enhance their incomes, and further solidify India’s position in the global agri-export arena.
Dr. Bhutani emphasized that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah, cooperative institutions are being empowered to compete internationally. The partnership will focus on capacity building, quality compliance, infrastructure support, international branding, market positioning, and data analytics.
Through this MoU, cooperative societies will gain exposure to international quality standards, food safety practices, and export procedures. By combining APEDA’s technical expertise with NCEL’s grassroots reach, exports of fruits, vegetables, spices, processed foods, cereals, and animal products are expected to scale new heights.
Additional Secretary Shri Pankaj Kumar Bansal noted that the collaboration will open access to new markets, enabling farmers to secure premium prices for their produce.
This agreement marks a significant step toward building a competitive and sustainable cooperative export framework. By linking APEDA’s infrastructure and market access with NCEL’s nationwide network, the partnership will deliver tangible economic benefits to farmers and cooperatives.
The initiative will not only strengthen India’s agricultural export portfolio but also inject fresh energy into the cooperative movement, aligning with the national vision of inclusive and sustainable growth.
