Orissa to get AEZ for Organic turmeric in Kandhmal-Ramesh

Bhubaneswar, Jun 19 (UNI) Union Minister of state for Commerce Jairam Ramesh today hinted that an Agriculture Export Zone (AEZ) in Orissa could be considered once the proposal for the same was received by the Centre.

Mr Ramesh, who met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, told reporters that the AEZ will be established in Kandhmal for organic turmeric.

He said he had asked the state government to submit the proposal at the earliest so that it could be considered by the Union government.

The Orissa government has already identified land for setting up of the AEZ in Kandhmal where a majority of the tribals cultivate organic turmeric.

The Union Minister said he had requested the Chief Minister to concentrate more on export of organic coffee from Koraput, Ginger and Turmeric from Kandhmal and Sal from Mayurbhanj which could generate much employment opportunities.

Mr Ramesh said Orissa had exported Rs.10,400 crore last year but 90 per cent of the exports accounted for mineral sectors only while the handicraft and other non traditional products had a very negligible share.

Though Orissa known for its famous handicraft yet the export of such products stood only at 3 to 4 per cent of the total handicraft export of the country.

The Union Minister said the state had exported marine products to the tune of Rs.350 crore last year adding that this has to be crossed Rs.1000 crore in the next five years.

The Centre, he said, would sanction a cold storage for perishable products in Bhubaneswar and another for marine products in Paradip soon.

UNI