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Mint
27-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
India exports first batch of rose-scented litchis to Qatar
New Delhi: India has dispatched its first-ever consignment of rose-scented litchis to Qatar, marking a significant step in its push to expand exports of high-value horticultural produce, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on Friday. The shipment, comprising one tonne of the premium litchis from Pathankot, Punjab, was sent to Doha on 23 June, with support from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda). A smaller, half-tonne batch was simultaneously exported to Dubai. The fruit—known for its delicate floral aroma and juicy sweetness—has long been associated with Bihar's Mithila region. Litchis are believed to have arrived in India from China over 300 years ago, travelling through Assam and Bengal before taking root in Bihar. But the centre of gravity for litchi cultivation has shifted. Once India's undisputed leader in litchi production, Bihar's output has declined sharply—falling 43% over the past decade. From accounting for nearly two-thirds of India's litchis in 2001-02, the state now contributes less than a quarter. States like Punjab, Jharkhand, and Odisha have stepped in to fill the gap. The rose-scented litchis shipped to Qatar were grown by farmer Prabhat Singh in Sujanpur, with support from the Punjab horticulture department and retail major Lulu Group. The fruit was packed in refrigerated containers to preserve freshness and meet export standards. "This milestone initiative underscores the excellence of India's horticultural produce and highlights the country's growing agri-export capabilities," the ministry said in a statement. 'It offers immense opportunities for farming communities by providing international market access for their fresh and high-value produce.' India's overall fruit and vegetable exports rose to $3.87 billion in FY25, a 5.7% increase over the previous year. While traditional favourites like mangoes and bananas still lead the charts, newer offerings such as cherries, jamun, and now rose-scented litchis are gaining ground. "These efforts reflect the government commitment to expanding the agri-export basket, empowering farmers, and enhancing the global competitiveness of Indian produce," the statement said. "With focused interventions, Apeda continues to play a key role in enabling market access for FPOs, FPCs, and agri-exporters—solidifying India's position as a global leader in agricultural and processed food products," it added.
India Gazette
27-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
India flags off first consignment of rose-scented litchi from Pathankot to Qatar
New Delhi [India], June 27 (ANI): In a boost to India's horticultural exports, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, in collaboration with the Department of Horticulture, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of Punjab, facilitated the flag-off of the first consignment of 1 metric tonne of rose-scented litchi from Pathankot, Punjab to Doha, Qatar on 23rd June 2025. According to Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in addition, 0.5 metric tonne of litchi was also exported to Dubai, UAE from Pathankot, marking a twin export achievement and reinforcing India's potential in global fresh fruit markets. This milestone initiative underscores the excellence of India's horticultural produce and highlights the country's growing agri-export capabilities. It offers immense opportunities for farming communities by providing international market access for their fresh and high-value produce. The initiative was facilitated by APEDA in association with the Department of Horticulture, Government of Punjab, Lullu Group, and progressive farmer, Prabhat Singh from Sujanpur, who supplied the high-quality produce. According to the National Horticulture Board, Punjab's litchi production for FY 2023-24 stood at 71,490 metric tonnes, contributing 12.39 per cent to India's total litchi output. During the same period, India exported 639.53 metric tonnes of litchi. The area under cultivation was 4,327 hectares with an average yield of 16,523 kg/ha. The flagged-off consignment, comprising a reefer pallet of premium Pathankot litchis, represents a major step forward for the region's growers. The success of farmers like Prabhat Singh underscores the potential of Pathankot--which benefits from favourable agro-climatic conditions--as an emerging hub for quality litchi cultivation and exports. Notably, during FY 2024-25 (April-March), India's export of fruits and vegetables reached USD 3.87 billion, registering a 5.67 per cent growth over the previous year. While mangoes, bananas, grapes, and oranges continue to dominate fruit exports, cherries, jamun, and litchis are now increasingly finding their place in international markets. These efforts reflect the Government of India's commitment to expanding the agri-export basket, empowering farmers, and enhancing the global competitiveness of Indian produce. With focused interventions, APEDA continues to play a key role in enabling market access for FPOs, FPCs, and agri-exporters--solidifying India's position as a global leader in agricultural and processed food products. (ANI)
Times of Oman
27-06-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
India flags off first consignment of rose-scented litchi from Pathankot to Qatar
New Delhi: In a boost to India's horticultural exports, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, in collaboration with the Department of Horticulture, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of Punjab, facilitated the flag-off of the first consignment of 1 metric tonne of rose-scented litchi from Pathankot, Punjab to Doha, Qatar on 23rd June 2025. According to Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in addition, 0.5 metric tonne of litchi was also exported to Dubai, UAE from Pathankot, marking a twin export achievement and reinforcing India's potential in global fresh fruit markets. This milestone initiative underscores the excellence of India's horticultural produce and highlights the country's growing agri-export capabilities. It offers immense opportunities for farming communities by providing international market access for their fresh and high-value produce. The initiative was facilitated by APEDA in association with the Department of Horticulture, Government of Punjab, Lullu Group, and progressive farmer, Prabhat Singh from Sujanpur, who supplied the high-quality produce. According to the National Horticulture Board, Punjab's litchi production for FY 2023-24 stood at 71,490 metric tonnes, contributing 12.39 per cent to India's total litchi output. During the same period, India exported 639.53 metric tonnes of litchi. The area under cultivation was 4,327 hectares with an average yield of 16,523 kg/ha. The flagged-off consignment, comprising a reefer pallet of premium Pathankot litchis, represents a major step forward for the region's growers. The success of farmers like Prabhat Singh underscores the potential of Pathankot--which benefits from favourable agro-climatic conditions--as an emerging hub for quality litchi cultivation and exports. Notably, during FY 2024-25 (April-March), India's export of fruits and vegetables reached USD 3.87 billion, registering a 5.67 per cent growth over the previous year. While mangoes, bananas, grapes, and oranges continue to dominate fruit exports, cherries, jamun, and litchis are now increasingly finding their place in international markets. These efforts reflect the Government of India's commitment to expanding the agri-export basket, empowering farmers, and enhancing the global competitiveness of Indian produce.
Time of India
08-06-2025
- Time of India
One arrested for hoax call of planting bomb in trains
Varanasi: The Govt Railway Police on Sunday arrested Rajesh Shukla (48), for a hoax call about planting bombs in 15018 Kashi Express and 11071 Kamayani Express on June 2. CO GRP Kunwar Prabhat Singh stated that GRP Cantt in-charge Rajol Nagar and his team arrested Shukla, a native of Machhlishehar and now settled in Mumbai, at Varanasi Junction (Cantt railway station). The mobile phone and SIM card used to make the hoax calls were also recovered from his possession. Following the call, the GRP Cantt thoroughly checked both the trains on June 2, causing inconvenience to hundreds of passengers, said the CO.
