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Markfed has carved a distinct identity for itself by setting up a number of
export-oriented units to process agricultural produce like basmati rice, cotton, oilseeds,
vegetable, fruits, etc. Markfed helps farmers by procuring their produce and organizing
exports. It has been declared as Punjab's nodal agency for the export of fruits, vegetables
and food grains by the Government of India.
A vast range of products from Markfed have found markets in the UAE, UK, US, Canada,
Germany, Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Afganistan etc. Annually, Markfed exported 2.25 million
MTs of wheat till 30/09/2003 to UAE, Sudan, Yemen, Philippines, Vietnam,
Bangladesh, Indonesia, Korea, Oman, Sri Lanka and Ethiopia through the major food players of
the world like Cargil, Toepfer, Allanasons, Noble Grain, Louis Dreyfus & Kotak Agri, Tropical
Grains & Feed, Adani Exports etc.
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| Sarson Ka Saag - A delicacy on foreign shores. |
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About 1.5 million cans containing ready-to-eat Sarson-Ka-Saag a Punjabi delicacy & other Indian vegetable curries are exported to many regions which include the USA, Canada, Europe, Middle East and the South Pacific.
In addition to these, Markfed deals in many other ethinic food products.
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| Agri Export Zone for Potatoes |
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Potato is considered as the third major cash crop
and plays a pivotal role in crop diversification. India is the fourth
largest producer of potatoes in the world. Markfed helps farmers by
procuring potatoes and organizing their exports. The Government of
India has sanctioned an agri-export zone for potatoes in Punjab. Being
set up in collaboration with APEDA, the zone will be established in
Patiala with satellite centres in Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Batala and
Muktsar. The objective of the project is to provide remunerative returns
to the farmers and also to help farmers in producing quality which
is at par with international market. Markfed has been declared the
nodal agency for setting up this AEZ (Agri-Export Zone) to facilitate
Potato export from Punjab. The zone entails partnership of farmers,
processors, exporters, the State and the Central Government agencies
to coordinate for end to end development of potatoes and its processed
output from farm to consumers.
The Project will be implemented in two phases costing Rs 10.41 crores
and Rs. 102 crores respectively.
Markfed, the nodal agency for the project would coordinate the efforts
of various organizations like NHB. NFPI, APEDA, ICAR, MOA, Revenue
department and the various State Government agencies like the Department
Of Agriculture and Industries and will also act as the main link between
Central and State agencies and the stake holders who are farmers,
exporters and processors.
Markfed has already started exports of potatoes to Middle East and Canada since July 2002 under the Agri Export Zone for Potatoes. Major customers include Lulu Hyper Market which owns the biggest chain of super markets in Dubai and other Gulf countries.
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| Potato Processing Unit |
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Punjab Markfed has signed an MoU with Canadian Manufacturing Company Ltd. Vancouver, Canada for setting up of a Joint venture to manufacture potato French Fries / Potato Flakes / Granules / Vodka. The Cost of the project is approximately Rs.70 crore.
The Project will be put up in Patiala. The company will provide the technical know-how to process potatoes grown in Punjab and will assist in marketing the product both in domestic and international markets.
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| Potato Cultivation In Sri Lanka |
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| In a novel move, Markfed has taken on lease a 1,000 acre farm in Sri Lanka, offered by the Sri Lankan Government, for the cultivation of seed/tableware potatoes. The federation has agreed to undertake this project to spread awareness about Punjab's expertise to shores far and wide, so that Punjab's agro products gain in reputation and, establish a market presence. |
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| Agri Export Zone for Basmati Rice |
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This AEZ will facilitate increased production of basmati rice accounting for almost 60% of the world export. The AEZ will be set up in Punjab covering Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and Nawanshahar areas. The main objectives of this AEZ will be :
1) providing remunerative returns to farmers on a sustained basis by improved access to exports.
2) Interlinking the various constituents of the chain from farmers to consumer.
3) Establishing backward linkage with rice millers.
4) Standardization of agronomical practices.
5) Making quality seeds available.
6) Setting up of DNA based laboratory. The total project cost is estimated at Rs. 42.32 crores.
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| Food Grain Storage and Handling |
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An MoU was signed by Markfed with CMC Canada for providing various options/models to handle food grains produced in the state of Punjab and to work out the logistics of post harvest handling of food grains. International Standard silo storage complexes are envisaged to safeguard quality of food grains in bulk to the consuming areas.
CMC would be a partner in this joint venture pilot project to be set
up in the state. CMC would also transfer the technology for grains
collection, storage, preservation and transportation in bulk. The
silo project with a capacity of 1 lakh Mts would cost around Rs. 50
crore. The joint venture partners from Canada would invest in the
equity of the project and will also help to market the food grains
in the world market. The project is assisted by Canada International
Development Agency (CIDA). |
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| Stock Points |
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| Markfed has been allowed to create Stock Points at the port towns of Vishakhapatnam, Kakinanda, Jamnagar, Mundra and Kandla by Government of India. Markfed is the only Procurement agency of the state to have been allowed to create infrastructure for the storage of good grains at these port towns. With the creation of these stocks points the state is going to benefit on account of timely movement of stocks which would increase the exports of wheat. It will give assured delivery to the exporters without delays. Markfed would maintain the central pool stocks up to 50,000 MTs at each port on rotational basis and would thus be able to offer the same to the exporters without any lead time. |
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