Uttar Pradesh to Set Up Crop-Specific Boards

• 05 Jul 2024

Why in News?

Uttar Pradesh plans to establish crop-specific commodity boards as a step toward achieving the goal of annual agro shipments worth Rs 50,000 crore.

Key Points

• This initiative aims to boost farm productivity, catalyze food processing, and re-energize the agro value chain over the next four years.
  • To generate employment, the government is promoting agriculture-focused startups.
  • There is a huge demand for horticultural produce like strawberries, dragon fruit, and flowers in the state.
• State-level horticultural commodity boards would be set up on the lines of the Spices Board of India.
• The Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture (ICFA) has constituted the UP State Agriculture Council to promote agro industry and exports.
  • It would foster coordination between the government, agro experts, and farmers.
  • The council will focus on promoting sustainable agricultural practices, enhancing market access, and supporting exports.
  • It will host a ‘Agro World 2025’ summit in February 2025 in Lucknow.

Spices Board of India

• Spices Board was constituted on 26^th February 1987 under the Spices Board Act, 1986 with the merger of the erstwhile Cardamom Board (1968) and Spices Export Promotion Council (1960).
• There are five statutory Commodity Boards under the Department of Commerce.
  • These Boards are responsible for production, development and export of tea, coffee, rubber, spices and tobacco.
• It is responsible for the export promotion of the 52 scheduled spices and the development of Cardamom.
• Spices Board is the flagship organisation for the development and worldwide promotion of Indian spices.
• The Board is an international link between the Indian exporters and the importers abroad.

Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture (ICFA)

• Formerly known as the Indian Council of Food and Agriculture, was founded in 2015.
• It is the apex body in India, working on business, policy, and development agendas while serving as a global platform for trade facilitation, partnerships, technology, and agribusiness services.