Promotion Councils of India
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) come into existence in 1986 to further develop our agricultural commodities and processed foods, and to promote their exports. It’s goods are to maximize foreign exchange earnings through increased agro exports, to provide better income to the farmers through higher unit value realization and to create employment opportunities in rural areas by encouraging value added exports of farm produce.
APEDA went about achieving these by identifying new markets, providing better support systems to our exporters and manufactures, and introducing new products to the international market.

No wonder the exports have shown a rising trend. It has increased from Rs 10169 crores in 2001-2002 to Rs. 17918.07 crores in 2005-06.

Origin of MPEDA
The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) was constituted in 1972 under the Marine Products Export Development Authority Act 1972 (No.13 of 1972). The role envisaged for the MPEDA under the statute is comprehensive - covering fisheries of all kinds, increasing exports, specifying standards, processing, marketing, extension and training in various aspects of the industry.

Structure, Activities & Network
MPEDA functions under the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India and acts as a coordinating agency with different Central and State Government establishments engaged in fishery production and allied activities.The composition of the Authority is given in Annex I. The plan schemes of the Authority are implemented under four major heads:

  • Export production - Capture Fisheries
  • Export production - Culture Fisheries
  • Induction of New Technology and Modernisation of Processing Facilities.
  • Market Promotion

Work programme of MPEDA

  • Registration of infrastructure facilities for seafood Export trade
  • Collection and dissemination of trade information
  • Projection of Indian marine products in overseas markets by participation in overseas fairs and organising international seafood fairs in India.
  • Implementation of development measures vital to the industry like distribution of insulated fish boxes, putting up fish landing platforms, improvement of peeling sheds, modernisation of industry such as upgrading of plate freezers, installation of IQF machinery, generator sets, ice making machineries, quality control laboratory etc.
  • Promotion of brackish water aquaculture for production of prawn for export.
  • Promotion of deep sea fishing projects through test fishing, joint venture and equity participation.

The Cashew Export Promotion Council of India(CEPC)
The Cashew Export Promotion Council of India(CEPC) was established by the Government of India in the year 1955, with the active cooperation of the cashew industry with the object of promoting exports of cashew kernels and cashewnut shell liquid from India. By its very set up, the Council provides the necessary institutional frame-work for performing the different functions that serve to intensify and promote exports of cashew kernels and cashewnut shell liquid.

The Council provides the necessary liaison for bringing together foreign importers with member exporters of cashew kernels. The enquiries received from the foreign importers are circulated amongst Council members.

The Council also extends its good offices in settling complaints amicably in the matter of exports/imports either on account of quality and /or variation in fulfillment of contractual obligations.

Publicity and Promotion Abroad
The Council undertakes publicity abroad with a view to projecting the 'Product Image’ which serves to highlight and focus attention on the high quality and superiority of Indian cashews.

Participation in Exhibitions
The Council participates in specialised International Food Fairs/ Exhibitions and general fairs abroad. As the Council represents the whole industry, it arranges display of products received from members free of cost. The enquiries received are circulated amongst the members for them to   contact the parties abroad for business negotiations.

Membership in the Council
1.Membership in the Council is granted to those who are engaged in export of cashew kernels / cashewnut shell liquid.
2.Membership in the Council is not mandatory to take up exports of cashew kernels / cashewnut shell liquid.
3.Approval of name as a prospective exporter of cashew kernels / cashewnut shell liquid by the Committee of Administration of the Council is a pre-condition for enrolment as a member of the Council.
4.For approval of name, an application with the following particulars has to be submitted to the Council:

  •   Nature of the firm
  •   Name(s) of Proprietor / Partners/ Directors
  •   Association with any other organisation
  •   IE Code Number

Application for the membership in the Council has to be made in the prescribed form along with the following:

  • Proof of having engaged in export of cashew kernels / cashewnut shell liquid viz, copies of bills of lading or a Certificate from Chartered Accountant detailing the quantity and value of the product exported.
  • Entrance fee of Rs.1,000/-, membership subscription of Rs.25,000/- and minimum trade contribution of Rs.7,500/-by means of DD payable at Ernakulam.
  • The membership of the Council is granted for a period of one year, ie. from 1st April to 31st March.The membership may be renewed every year.

Spices Board
Spices Board was constituted on 26th February 1986 under the Spices Board Act 1986 (No. 10 of 1986) with the merger of the erstwhile Cardamom Board (1968) and Spices Export Promotion Council (1960). Spices Board is one of the five Commodity Boards functioning under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. It is an autonomous body responsible for the export promotion of the scheduled spices and production development of some of them such as Cardamom and Vanilla.

  • Spices Board Act, 1986 and Spices Board Rules, 1987 (English)
  • Spices Board Act, 1986 and Spices Board Rules, 1987 (Hindi)

Out of the 109 spices listed by the ISO, India produces as many as 75 in its various agro climatic regions. India accounts for about 45% (2,50,000 tons-2002-03) of the global spice exports, though exports constitute only some 8% of the estimated annual production of spices at 3.2 million tons (2002). Over all, spices are grown in some 2.9 million hectares in the country. Spice production in India, as much of the agriculture in the country, is undertaken in millions of tiny holdings and determine the livelihood of large number of the rural population.

Spices Board, is governed by a 32 member governing body consisting of representatives of the house of people, house of states, state governments, certain Central Government Ministries, Planning Commission, Plantation labour, spice growers, processors & exporters and specialist organisations such as Central Food Technology Research Institute (CFTRI) and Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP).

Functions 

  • Research, Development and Regulation of domestic marketing of Small & Large Cardamom
  • Research & production development of vanilla
  • Post harvest improvement of all spices
  • Promotion of organic production, processing and certification of spices
  • Development of spices in the North East
  • Provision of quality evaluation services
  • Export promotion of all spices through support for:-

                       Technology upgradation.
                       Quality upgradation
                       Brand promotion
                       Research & product development

Other responsibilities related to export promotion of spices :

  • Quality certification
  • Quality control
  • Registration of exporters
  • Collection & documentation of trade information
  • Provision of inputs to the Central Government on policy

Functionaries
Chairman, Spices Board is the full time Chief Executive of the Organization. He is assisted by a group of divisional directors and supporting staff.

The Indian Cardamom Research Institute
The Indian Cardamom Research Institute ( I. C. R .I. ) was established under Spices Board (erstwhileCardamom Board), Govt. of India, Ministry of Commerce & Industry in 1978. The main Institute is at Myladumpara in Idukki district of Karala, at Myladumpara. It has three Regional Research Stations one each at Saklespur, Hassan district, Karnataka started in 1980, at Thadiankudisai, Dindigul district in Tamilnadu started in 1980 and the third one for large cardamom situated at Gangtok in Sikkim which started functioning in 1987.

The primary mandate of Indian Cardamom Research Institute is to develop sustainable production,protection and post harvest technologies for small and large cardamom, vanilla, herbal spices etc.The activities of the institute have now been expanded to cover adaptive research programmes on other spices such as black pepper, ginger, turmeric, tree spices, chilly, paprika seed spices and other minor spices.

The major research divisions of the institute are:

  • Crop Improvement & Biotechnology
  • Crop Management (Agronomy)
  • Disease Management (Pathology)
  • Entomology
  • Post Harvest Technology
  • Transfer of Technology

Tea Board
The Tea Board of India, a commodity board under the administrative control of the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, was established by the enactment of the Tea Act, 1953.

The constitution of the Board represents various interest groups of the tea industry such as - owners of tea estate and producers of tea, consumers of tea, government representatives from the tea growing states of India viz. Assam, West Bengal, Tripura, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Himachal Pradesh, Members of Parliament, exporters and internal traders of tea, persons employed in tea estates/gardens, persons representating other interests.

The functions of the Board are defined by the provisions of the Tea Act. It is primarily concerned with the development of the tea industry and trade of tea, extension of area under tea cultivation, research activities concerned with improvement in the quality of tea production and cultivation methods, promotion of exports, other licensing activities aimed at containing adulteration and other undesirable activities, interception on behalf of workers for adoption of welfare measures etc.

The Tea Board is headed by Mr. N. K. DAS, Chairman, which is again subconstituted into the Standing Committees which are Executive Committee, Development Committee, Labour Welfare Committee and the Export Promotion Committee.
 
Objectives
The functions and activities of the Board are performed by the following departments :

  • Secretariat and Establishment for administrative work and co-ordination of the activities of the various other departments.
  • Finance for internal audit and maintenance of the Board's accounts.
  • Development for the administration of financial assistance scheme and assistance to the industry for procurement for distribution and movement of essential inputs.
  • Research for administering grant loans to research organisations and maintaining internal research facilities.
  • Licensing for regulation of production and export and implementation of the Tea Waste (Control) Order.
  • Promotion for the marketing of tea in India and increase of exports.
  • Statistics for the collection of statistical data and undertaking cost studies.
  • Labour Welfare for the implementation of welfare measures in the tea industry.
  • Law for dealing with various miscellaneous legal matters arising in functional departments.

Tobacco Board
India is the largest producer and exporter of tobacco in the World.  Total tobacco production in India is about 700 million Kilograms annually.  Rich and varied Indian geographic and agro-climatic conditions foster consistent availability of wide range of tobaccos for export all through the year.   Indian tobacco, by virtue of its qualities, sheer volumes and diversity, is progressing gracefully to occupy its rightful place in the world tobacco market.

Activities
Recognizing the need to regulate production, promotion of overseas marketing and to control recurring instances of imbalances in supply and demand, which lead to market problems, the Government of India established the Tobacco Board, in place of Tobacco Export Promotion Council, under the Tobacco Board Act of 1975. The Board came into existence from 1-1-1976 with its head quarters at Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, India.

The Tobacco Board Act aims at the planned development of Tobacco Industry in the country. Various activities of the Board outlined in the Act for the promotion of the industry are :

  • Regulating the production and curing of Virginia Tobacco with regard to the demand in India and abroad.
  • Constant monitoring of the Virginia tobacco market, both in India and abroad and ensuring fair and remunerative price to the growers and reducing wide fluctuations in the prices of the commodity.
  • Sustaining and improving the existing international markets and developing new markets overseas for Indian Virginia Tobacco and its products and devising marketing strategies in consonance with demand for the commodity including group marketing under limited ..brand names.
  • Establishing auction platforms for sale of Virginia tobacco by registered growers and functioning as an auctioneer at auction platforms either established by it or registered with it.
  • Recommending to the Central Government the minimum prices to be fixed for exportable Virginia tobacco with a view to avoiding unhealthy competition amongst the exporters. (under its exim policy, Government have decided to abolish fixation of M.E.P. with effect from 1-4-1993).
  • Regulating in other aspects of Virginia tobacco marketing in India and export of Virginia tobacco having due regard to the interests of growers, manufacturers, dealers and the Nation.
  • Propagating information useful to the growers, dealers and exporters (including packers) of Virginia tobacco and manufacturers of tobacco products and other concerned.
  • Purchasing Virginia tobacco from growers when the same is considered necessary or expedient for protecting the interests of the growers and disposing it in India or abroad as and when considered appropriate.
  • Promoting tobacco grading at the level of growers and Sponsoring, assisting, co-coordinating or encouraging  scientific, technological and economic research for promotion of tobacco industry.

ISO 9001:2000 Certification to Tobacco Board
Tobacco Board in furtherance of its objectives, desired to improve its excellence by rendering superior services to the utmost satisfaction of its customers namely, growers and traders in a systematic manner.  M/s. Det Norkse Veritas (DNV), Netherlands has bestowed the honour of ISO 9001:2000 certificate to Tobacco Board for having established quality management systems confirming with ISO 9001:2000 standards.  Tobacco Board has begun to implement systems aimed at achieving product integrity and traceability, model project area and quality circles concept to improve the quality of tobacco leaf to meet the requirements of importers.  Board is committed to meeting the needs of customers.  Board advises all the Indian exporters to obtain ISO certification with a view to meeting the expectations of the global market.

Coffee Board
The Coffee Board of India is an autonomous body, functioning under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. The Board serves as a friend, philosopher and guide of the coffee industry in India. Set up under an Act of the Parliament of India in the year 1942, the Board focuses on research, development, extension, quality upgradation, market information, and the domestic and external promotion of Indian coffee.

Till 1995, the Coffee Board had a monopolistic control over the marketing of coffee in India. However, the winds of liberalization swept the Indian coffee industry and since 1995, marketing of coffee is strictly a private sector activity. In fact the Coffee Board went through a massive down- sizing and two- thirds of its employees were retired under a voluntary retirement scheme.

The Coffee Board conducts basic and applied research on coffee and can boast of 75 glorious years in coffee research. The Central Coffee Research Institute in the Chickmagalur district, Karnataka State has been in the forefront of coffee research over the years and continues to remain one of the premier institutes of the world as far as coffee research is concerned.The Research Department publishes various journals and periodicals. It also offers various services to growers and exporters.

The Board also has a vast extension network spread over the three main producing states of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, as well as in the non-traditional areas of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and the seven North-eastern states. The extension set up provides the day- to- day link with the grower community and this wing facilitates the transfer of technology from lab to land.

The Board also encourages the consumption of coffee in India and abroad. Towards this end, the Board participates in food and Beverage exhibitions abroad. The Board also runs 14 India Coffee Houses in the country. The India Coffee House brand of coffee powder is well known in India for its quality and aroma.

The Board has for long years worked on the quality of Indian coffee. The Board runs two quality control laboratories in Bangalore and Hassan, which control and advise the industry on quality issues. The labs are equipped with the best roasting and brewing machines. The best cup- tasters and quality evaluators keep a strict vigil on the pre and post harvest processes with a view to ensure that the quality of Indian coffee is maintained.

Economic & Market Intelligence Unit
The Board has an Economic & Market Intelligence Unit functioning from its head office at Bangalore. The unit undertakes various activities related to market information & intelligence, market research studies, crop forecasting and coffee economics aspects. The unit also undertakes studies on research related to the coffee trade including WTO issues. Notable publications include the daily market intelligence report, a comprehensive database on coffee (Bimonthly) and market intelligence report (Quarterly). The periodical reports that are already completed included Coffee Consumption in Urban India 2001 and Coffee Consumption in India 2003. The unit is currently coordinates a study on logistics and competitiveness of coffee producing countries (India, Vietnam & Brazil) and a manual on coffee retailing. The unit also in the process of implementing a project on price risk management for coffee growers.

Organic coffees in India
Organic coffee means a coffee grown under holistic agricultural production management system that includes on farm composting of farm resources, mulching, shade regulation and eco friendly pest and disease control measures. It completely excludes the use of agro chemicals with an aim of preserving the environment and to obtain residue free product. However, in order to provide authenticity to the product as organic, it has to be certified by an accredited certification agency.

Scope for Organic Coffee Production in India
There is a lot of scope for production of organic coffee in India, due to natural advantages existing in cultivation of coffee, which are as follows:

  • Coffee is mainly grown in deep fertile jungle soil under well-defined mixed shade consisting leguminous and non-leguminous trees.
  • Majority of the coffee holdings are dominated by small and tribal growers with low or zero inputs or synthetic inputs with sustainable yields, which are ideally suited for conversion to organic farming without any serious setbacks in yields
  • Majority of small and tribal holdings are following traditional farming practices such as cattle manure, composting, manual weeding, recycling of organic wastes, which are prerequisites for organic coffee production.
  • Coffee in principle is mainly grown under high degree of mixed cropping under shade with sustainable income.

Role of Coffee Board in Promotion of Organic Coffee Production
Coffee Board, initiated steps to promote organic coffee production in the country by implementing a Project “ Promotion of Organic Coffee Production in India” during the IX plan period (1997-2002) with the objectives of standardizing package of practices for production of organic coffee, to create awareness among the growers by organizing trainings/workshops/seminars/education campaign and to identify the potential zones for production of organic coffee in coffee growing regions of India.

Based on the outcome of the surveys and case studies, it was felt necessary to extend certain incentives besides the technical support in order to promote organic coffee production. Hence, the project was extended in X plan period (2002-07). Initially Board decided to extend developmental assistance by providing financial assistance towards cost of inspection & certification of organic coffee estates. As a result to grant incentives towards the cost of certification to organic coffee growers, modalities and norms were drawn. Further, database on organic coffee area, production and the number of holdings practicing organic coffee production in different growing regions is made available.

Role of Coffee Board under National Programme for Organic Production
The Coffee Board has been representing the `Standing-cum-Accreditation Committee' since 1994 and currently the member of the reconstituted “National Steering Committee (NSC)” as well. Under the NPOP, the Coffee Board has been identified as an “Accreditation Agency (AA)” for the development and promotion of Organic coffee in the country.

As Accreditation agency, Board accredited three inspection & Certification agencies under National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) viz., M/s. IMO, Bangalore, M/s. SKAL, Bangalore, and M/s. APOF, Bangalore.

Incentives Scheme for Organic Coffee Growers
Coffee Board is providing financial assistance (grant) to organic coffee growers towards the cost of Inspection & Certification of organic coffee. The eligibility norms for providing financial assistance are as follows :

  • The grower/growers association/SHG’s having to produce organic coffee as per the National Standards of Organic Production (NSOP).
  • The Coffee should have been certified by an accredited Inspection & Certification agency recognized under  National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP). Visit www.apeda.com for the list of inspection & certification agencies.
  • In case of The Self Help Groups, Growers associations/ Cooperatives and NGO’s they should have been registered under Co-operative Societies Act or Societies Registration Act of their respective state.
  • The financial assistance towards Inspection & Certification cost will be released only after evaluation of application by Coffee Board.


Coconut Development Board (CDB)
Coconut Development Board (CDB) is a statutory body established under the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India for the integrated development of coconut cultivation andindustry in the country with focus on productivity increase and product diversification.

Coconut Development Board HQ, Kera Bhavan, Kochi


Coconut Development Board HQ,
Kera Bhavan, Kochi




Objectives of the board

  • Adopting measures for the development of coconut industry, inter alia.
  • Imparting technical advice to those engaged in coconut cultivation and industry.
  • Providing financial and other assistance for the expansion of area under coconut.
  • Encouraging adoption of modern technologies for processing of coconut and its products.
  • Adopting measures to get incentive prices for coconut and its products.
  • Recommending measures for improving marketing of coconut and its products.
  • Recommending measures for regulating imports and exports of coconut and its products.
  • Fixing grades, specifications and standards for coconut and its products.
  • Financing suitable schemes to increase the production of coconut and to improve the quality and yield of coconut.
  • Assisting, encouraging, promoting and financing agricultural, technological, industrial or economic research on coconut and its products.
  • Collecting statistics on coconut and its products and publishing them.
  • Undertaking publicity activities and publishing books and periodicals on coconut and its products.

Achivements of CDB
The progress of the Indian Coconut Sector during the last two decades can be classified into three distinct categories. First is the progress achieved in extending the cultivation of the crop in more areas both in traditional and non-traditional areas. Second is the increase in area, production and productivity of coconut in the country with the regress in the consumption of coconut oil in both edible and non-edible sector which warranted the need for the development of broad based processing technologies for the sustainable growth of the industry. Third is the problems of low income from the coconut holdings due to price fluctuations, decline in the prices of coconut and its products which necessitated the need for the development of appropriate coconut based farming systems to enhance the farm level income. The stiff import duties imposed on the edible oils and restricted import of the coconut products played an important role in keeping the domestic price high. Hence the structural rigidities in the coconut industry have been keeping a hold on its performance. The industry has not able to unleash its true potential mainly because of its oil driven market. However by realizing the imperative need to become competitive, the industry is now undergoing modernization, product diversification and byproduct utilization and restructuring process. Consumer demands for varied high value coconut products are tremendously increasing and hence the domestic industries have become vibrant. This in turn would help make the industry globally competitive.

Consequent to the liberalization of the Indian economy, the domestic industry has not been catching up commensurating with the growth of other world leaders like Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka. However, new vistas could be opened up in value addition and products development due to the timely interventions and concerted efforts of the organizations like Coconut Development Board, Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Defence Food Research Laboratory, Regional Research Laboratory, SAUs etc. by development and infusion of appropriate technologies which have resulted in value addition in coconut and emergence of variety of products in edible and non-edible sector.

The economic globalization has made possible the integration of various regional markets into a world market encompassing the entire globe within its sphere. New coconut products from elsewhere in the world have been found prominent place in the product profiles of the food chain markets in the country. In pursuit of making the Indian coconut products accessible to consumers across the world, there have been significant changes in the domestic markets in terms of product developments and deep market integration. Viable processing technologies are now indigenously available in the country for manufacture of varied products based on coconut kernel, coconut water, husk, shell and coconut stem. The potential of coconut palm as a source of renewable energy is also being recognized.

The emphasis given by the Coconut Development Board on evolving technologies for the development of new value added products has yielded results and the product diversification and byproduct utilization has gained momentum in the recent past. Various research programmes sponsored by the Board through the premier research institutions in the country led to the development of new technologies for the manufacture of coconut cream, spray dried coconut milk powder, preserved and packed tender water and coconut water based vinegar. The commercialization of these technologies has gained momentum consequent to the launching of Technology Mission on Coconut in 2001. Many processing units have been established in different parts of the country for the commercial production of products with the technologies so developed. Accelerated efforts of market promotion and product awareness have fuelled the pace of commercialization.

Now the coconut economy of India is in a convenient status. India accounts for 22.34 % of the world’s coconut production and is one of the major players in the world’s coconut trade. Currently the crop is grown in 1.91 million ha with an annual production of nearly 13000 million nuts. Copra processing, coconut oil extraction and coir manufacturing are the traditional coconut based industries in the country. The price of the coconut in the country is dependent on the prevailing price of coconut oil which is characterized by recurring violent fluctuations. The behavior of coconut oil price is relatively dependent on overall supply of oils and fats in the country. The fluctuation in the price of the coconut oil simultaneously reflects on the price of coconut. The volatile price situation often ends in the negligence of the coconut gardens, leading to attack of pests and diseases and low productivity. Of the range of ways, promoting cost effective coconut based farming system, product diversification and value addition play a crucial role in the stabilization of the coconut oil driven domestic market and is essential for reorienting and engineering the Indian Coconut Industry cost effective and globally competitive.

The Coconut Development Board has been playing pivotal role in promoting viable coconut based farming system, on-farm processing and products development. The production and marketing of value added products have started attracting commercial interest and the situation brought rejuvenation in the sector. Price for coconut products has been on an upward trend. The market promotional measures undertaken in pursuit of the popularization of health benefits of coconut oil and tender coconut water have attributed a stimulating effect on the less dependency of coconut oil driven coconut economy. The concerted efforts of the Board in enhancing farm level income through productivity improvement and other production measures, product diversification and subsequent demand creations for the new products have resulted in a dynamic push to the industry for its sustained growth (Thomas Mathew, 2004). Thus the Board has, by now rendered yeomen service to the cause of the coconut industry.

There has been a well defined network in the country to undertake the R&D of coconut. The State Agricultural Universities, ICAR Institutes, Agriculture/ Horticulture Departments of States/ UTs, organizations like, NAFED, Kerafed, Marketfed, etc. and private institutions contribute to the pursuit of the research and development process of coconut in the country.