New Delhi, September 10, 2025| Sky Link Times:
In a landmark development for India’s agricultural sector, the National Co-operative Exports Limited (NCEL) and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today to strengthen cooperative-led agricultural exports.
The NCEL–APEDA MoU was signed in the presence of Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani, Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation, and marks a strategic partnership between the Ministry of Cooperation and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to enhance India’s global footprint in agricultural exports.
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Empowering Cooperatives for Global Markets though NCEL–APEDA MOU
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Bhutani highlighted that aligning NCEL’s outreach network with APEDA’s export facilitation expertise will create new opportunities for farmers, boost rural incomes, and position India as a stronger player in global agri-markets.
Under the MoU, NCEL and APEDA will jointly work on:
- ✅ Capacity building & training on global quality standards and food safety
- ✅ Infrastructure support & revival for export readiness
- ✅ Quality compliance and streamlined export documentation
- ✅ Participation in international trade fairs and global branding
- ✅ Commodity-specific export strategy with market intelligence and data analytics
Brief about: National Co-operative Exports Limited (NCEL)
- Launched: January 2023 under the Ministry of Cooperation
- Purpose: Serves as the umbrella organization for cooperative exports in India.
- Objective:
- Help cooperative societies access global markets
- Aggregate products from farmer cooperatives for export
- Enhance value realization for farmers by removing middlemen
- Special Focus: Agricultural and allied products, handicrafts, textiles, and rural goods produced through cooperative societies.
- Tagline/Vision: Empower cooperatives to become global competitors in trade.
Brief about: Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
- Established: 1986 under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India
- Mandate: Promote exports of agricultural and processed food products.
- Key Functions:
- Provide financial assistance, training, and guidance for exporters
- Ensure quality certification of food products
- Develop infrastructure like pack houses, cold chains, and food parks
- Organize international trade fairs & buyer-seller meets
- Products Covered: Fruits, vegetables, cereals, meat, poultry, dairy, organic products, and processed foods.
- Contribution: Plays a pivotal role in boosting India’s agri-export portfolio globally.
Vision for Farmer-Centric Growth
Shri Pankaj Kumar Bansal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation, noted that this MoU empowers NCEL with APEDA’s technical know-how and policy support, enabling cooperative societies to achieve export excellence.
“This partnership will help farmers secure premium value for their produce, access new international markets, and contribute meaningfully to India’s economy,” he said.
National Cooperation Policy Alignment
The MoU aligns with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah to empower cooperative institutions. It also resonates with the objectives of the National Cooperation Policy, launched recently to strengthen cooperatives’ contribution to national growth.
By combining NCEL’s role as the national umbrella body for cooperative exports and APEDA’s mandate for export promotion, this collaboration is set to build a resilient, competitive, and farmer-centric cooperative export ecosystem.
How Farmers Can Be Benefited from the NCEL–APEDA MoU?
- Higher Income & Fair Prices – Farmers get better value for their produce through direct exports, reducing middlemen exploitation.
- Training on Global Standards – Access to skill development in packaging, quality control, and food safety for international markets.
- Access to International Markets – Fruits, vegetables, spices, cereals, and animal products reach new buyers across the globe.
- Improved Infrastructure Support – Cold storage, warehouses, and logistics facilities help reduce wastage and improve supply chain efficiency.
- Global Branding of Produce – Cooperative products get premium branding and recognition in international trade fairs.
- Market Intelligence & Data Support – Farmers gain insights into demand trends, pricing, and export opportunities.
- Consistent Livelihood & Rural Growth – Export-driven income ensures stability and boosts employment in rural areas.
- Government Backing & Policy Support – Farmers benefit from policy-level assistance, making exports easier and more profitable.
Key Takeaway
The NCEL–APEDA MoU is not just a policy move but a transformational step for millions of farmers. It promises to bring cooperatives into the global value chain, ensuring better incomes, stronger branding, and a robust export-led growth for India’s agricultural sector.
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