The Hindu : Business : Software to monitor grape exports to EU

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Friday, Jun 22, 2007
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Software to monitor grape exports to EU

Staff Reporter

Will enable product standardisation

NEW DELHI: Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh on Thursday launched a web-based software, GrapeNet, that will help trace export of grapes from India to the European Union. It will enable to monitor pesticide residue and achieve product standardisation, giving boost to grape exports to the EU.

“If there are any complaints of pesticides residue being present in grapes, the software will be able to indicate the farms from where the grapes originated. The software will give details about the certificate issuing authorities, inspection reports, laboratory analysis, certificate of residue analysis and the packing house details. It is designed to reach at the root of any grape export transaction,” the Minister said.

Developed by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the software will help in raising the confidence of importers, Mr. Ramesh said, adding that the traceability factors had helped around 40,000 grape farmers to come together and apply uniform farming practices.

“There is complete accountability in the system and farmers have earned 40 per cent more value for their grapes. Export value has grown from eight euros to 11.5 euros for a pack of five kg in 2006-07, of which the farmers get 1.1 euros a kg,” he said.

Stating that a similar software is being prepared to monitor exports of mangoes, Mr. Ramesh said the success achieved in implementing the residue monitoring system and IT-based traceability procedure had enabled all stakeholders in India and importers in the EU to develop considerable confidence in Indian grape.

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