News @ Jains - APEDA Golden Award to India JISL

Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jyotiraditya Scindia is seen giving the APEDA golden trophy and a certificate to
Mr. Suvan Sharma of Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd at 19th APEDA annual prize distribution ceremony held at New Delhi

New Delhi, 22 Feb, 2011 - If India can increase financial investment in agriculture in a suitable manner, can develop the infrastructural facilities, and can implement the hi-tech agricultural practices, then India has the capability to feed the entire world, Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jyotiraditya Scindia, said recently. He was speaking as the Chief Guest at 19th APEDA annual prize distribution ceremony. Jain Irrigations Fruit Processing Division was honoured with the prestigious APEDA golden trophy and certificate for the years 2009 and 2010 for excellent performance in quality and exports. Senior Vice-President of Global Marketing Division of Jain Irrigation Suvan Sharma received this award from the Union Minister for State of Industry & Commerce Jyotiraditya Scindia. Secretary of Commerce Ministry, Government of India Dr Rahul Khullar, Joint Secretary Siddarth, APEDA Chairman Asit Tripathi, and Director S Dave were present on this occasion. APEDA works under the Ministry of Commerce and gives away awards to the fruit processing and other processing industries in India every year for their excellent performance in quality and exports.

Mr. Scindia also reminded all that still 60% to 70% population of India is dependent upon agriculture and there is a need to increase the agricultural production annually by 4.5% to 5%. Union Commerce Secretary of Government of India Dr Rahul Khullar stressed that there is an aim to raise agricultural exports to $15 billion in the next three years and there is a need to add considerable value to the agricultural crops for achieving that.

Jain Irrigation has bagged this award consecutively 10 times before this. Jain Irrigation this year has bagged the golden trophy and a certificate for the first time. Jain Irrigation has been able to keep its identity intact by creating an independent brand in the international market with the setting up of processing industry in Jalgaon town. The Company has begun making a bio-physical investment on a large scale. The Company has set up very modern food processing projects. Contract farming has been implemented to give the guaranteed price to the agriculturists or farmers. Because of this, thousands of farmers supply white onions to the Company. It is Indias largest processing plant processing onions and other vegetables to produce dehydrated onions and vegetables.

The fruits like mango, guava, banana, aonla, papaya, pomegranate and tomato are processed in this fruit processing plant. Jains fruit processing plant is the second largest mango processing plant in the world. Recently, the Company entered the production of pomegranate tissue cultured plants. Sale of pomegranate tissue cultured saplings has begun on a commercial scale and the farmers are ready to cultivate pomegranate. The Company also plans to process the pomegranates on a large scale. In the future, the Company plans to process the oranges and sweet lemons also.

The Company had made a pledge to stay in front in the food processing industry by exporting more products. Jain Irrigations food processing division has earned a reputation as the largest processing industry. Along with the plant located at Jain Food Park on Shirsoli Road near Jalgaon, the Company has set up fruit processing plant at Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh and fruits and vegetables dehydration plant at Baroda in Gujarat. These plants are ready to meet the global demand. There is an IQF project already functioning. Jain Irrigations food processing division has achieved a record Rs 255 crore exports through these projects.

APEDA works under the Ministry of Commerce and gives away awards to the fruit processing and other processing industries in India every year for special and excellent performance in quality and exports. These awards are given to encourage such processing industries, which are engaged in processing the agri products all over India as an incentive.