Alongside the APEDA event, the union government has released ₹213.9 crores as XV Finance Commission Untied Grants for Rural Local Bodies in Assam. This amount represents the first instalment for the financial year 2025–26.
In a bid to boost agricultural exports from the Northeast, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the ministry of commerce and industry organised an organic conclave-cum-buyer seller meet in Guwahati on Tuesday. The event, held in collaboration with the government of Assam, aimed to strengthen export linkages, enhance market access and provide a platform for producers, exporters and international buyers to forge sustainable trade partnerships.
Over 30 exporters, nine importers and around 50 Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) from Assam participated in the conclave, reflecting growing interest in the region’s export potential. The structured buyer seller meet facilitated business-to-business interactions, enabling stakeholders to discuss opportunities, negotiate deals and explore long-term collaborations in both domestic and overseas markets.
Assam, endowed with rich agro-climatic diversity, produces a wide array of commodities with strong export potential. Traditional and organically cultivated products such as Assam Joha rice and other speciality non-basmati rice varieties, bananas, pineapples, mandarin oranges and Assam lemons were among the produce showcased. Spices like organic ginger, turmeric and black pepper, as well as other horticultural goods, were highlighted as high-value items that could significantly expand the state’s footprint in global agricultural markets.
A highlight of the event was a sensitisation session on the eighth edition of the national programme for organic production (NPOP), which outlined the regulatory framework, certification protocols, and labelling requirements crucial for compliance with international quality standards. The session aimed to boost awareness among FPCs, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), exporters, and entrepreneurs, ensuring they are equipped to meet stringent export criteria and enhance product competitiveness abroad.
Assam’s GI-Tagged and Organically Grown Products
Speaking at the meet, Assam’s agriculture, horticulture and excise minister Atul Bora emphasised the Northeast’s rich basket of high-quality, organically grown agricultural products with strong global demand. He noted that products like Joha rice and indigenous spices are gaining traction internationally, and stressed the importance of improved aggregation, certification and infrastructure to support export growth.
According to Bora, “With focused support in aggregation, certification, infrastructure and market access, Assam can transform its regional farm produce into globally competitive exports while ensuring sustainable livelihoods for farmers.”
Aruna Rajoria, commissioner and secretary-cum-agriculture production commissioner of Assam, highlighted the state’s unique GI-tagged and organically grown products, and reiterated the need for stronger market linkages to help farmers and entrepreneurs tap into international demand. She said that collaborative efforts with APEDA would help local producers reach global markets in a commercially viable and sustainable manner.
APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev lauded the coordination between the Authority and the Assam government in promoting export-oriented activities. He underscored Assam’s immense potential in agricultural, horticultural and organic exports, bolstered by farmer-friendly provisions in the revised NPOP and expanded access through recently signed organic mutual recognition agreements with countries such as Australia and New Zealand. Free trade agreements concluded with the United Kingdom, Oman and the EFTA countries were also cited as key enablers that open new avenues for Assamese products, he said.
The Guwahati conclave aims to unlock new opportunities for farmers and exporters, strengthen supply chains, and enhance the economic prospects of rural communities across the state.
Union Government Releases ₹213.9 Crore to Strengthen Local Bodies in Assam
In a parallel development aimed at bolstering grassroots governance and rural development, the union government has released ₹213.9 crores under the 15th finance commission grants to strengthen rural local bodies across Assam. This release, announced on Tuesday, represents the first instalment of untied grants for the financial year 2025-26 and covers all 2,192 eligible Gram Panchayats, 182 Block Panchayats and 27 Zilla Parishads in the state.
These untied grants are designed to empower Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and rural local bodies (RLBs) to address location-specific needs across the 29 subjects listed in the eleventh schedule of the Constitution, excluding salaries and establishment costs. The funds can be used flexibly, enabling local authorities to prioritise and implement development activities that best reflect community requirements.
In addition to untied allocations, the finance commission grants include tied components for basic services such as sanitation, maintenance of open defecation-free (ODF) status, household waste management, supply of drinking water, rainwater harvesting, and water recycling initiatives.
By releasing these funds, the union government seeks to strengthen institutional capacities at the grassroots level, enabling rural bodies to play a proactive role in socio-economic development and service delivery across Assam’s hinterland.
Together, initiatives like the Organic Conclave and the Finance Commission grants signal a concerted push by both central and state authorities to foster inclusive growth, enhance rural livelihoods, and accelerate Assam’s integration into global economic networks.
Legislative Assembly elections are expected to be held in Assam in March–April 2026 to elect 126 members of the Assam Legislative Assembly.
Image: From Atul Bora’s Twitter Account
