Varansai, June 26 (KNN) Varanasi's agri export has risen from 4 metric tonnes in 2020-21 to 561 MT in 2022-23, ensuring growth of 420% since Kashi's Integrated Pack House (IPH) became functional.

Lucknow, which had export figure of 111.47 MT in 2020-21 had exported 703.30 MT of agri products in 2022-23 and its growth percentage was 6%.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will soon flag off the first consignment of mango and green chilli packed at Kashi's Integrated Pack House (IPH) for export to Gulf countries.

The Deputy General Manager of Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) CB Singh said, “After IPH's inauguration by the PM, process to operationalise it has been intensified in Varanasi in order to achieve the goal of developing east UP as a hub of export of agriculture and horticulture products.”

He said, “With flagging off by the CM, the IPH Varanasi packed first consignments of mango and green chilli will leave for markets of Gulf, including Dubai and Doha via air and sea routes, respectively.”

Recalling the journey of ma king East UP region a hub of agri export, Singh said, “Till 2019, there was nil export of agri cargo from Varanasi airport and negligible export from Lucknow airport. Now, flights are fully loaded with agri air cargo at Varanasi and Lucknow.”

The IPH established in Varanasi fulfils requirements of international standard, which is mandatory especially for exporting agri products to European Union, Japan and Korea.  (KNN Bureau)