Irinaequalliat: new initial details needs work

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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Punjab Agri Export Corporation Limited
| industry = Agriculture, Horticulture, Food Processing, Export
| founded = 1997
| brands = * Five Rivers
* AASNAA
| parent = Punjab Agro Industries Corporation Limited (PAIC)
}}

'''Punjab Agri Export Corporation Limited''' (PAGREXCO) is a government enterprise established by the [[Government of Punjab, India|Government of Punjab]] in the year 1997 as the nodal agency for agricultural export from the state of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], [[India]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|date=7 December 2019|title=Punjab looks to basmati rice, citrus, buffalo meat, to boost agri exports.|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/punjab-looks-to-basmati-rice-citrus-buffalo-meat-to-boost-agri-exports/articleshow/72408310.cms}}</ref> The company works for export of fresh and processed agricultural produce, infrastructural development and policy implementation in the state.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |url=https://punjabagro.gov.in/pagrexco/ |title=Pagrexco |access-date=2021-04-15 |website=punjabagro.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=PAGREXCO appointed as State Implementing Agency for Kinnow crop under Operation Greens Scheme - TOP to TOTAL {{!}} Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Punjab, India ਸੂਚਨਾ ਤੇ ਲੋਕ ਸੰਪਰਕ ਵਿਭਾਗ ਪੰਜਾਬ ,ਭਾਰਤ|url=http://www.diprpunjab.gov.in/?q=content/pagrexco-appointed-state-implementing-agency-kinnow-crop-under-operation-greens-scheme-top|access-date=2021-04-15|website=www.diprpunjab.gov.in}}</ref> It is a subsidiary of Punjab Agro Industries Corporation.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|last=Verma|first=Sanjeev|date=26 February 2019|title=Punjab eyes horticulture growth to boost diversification|work=The Times of India|url=https://www.google.com/search?q=pagrexco&tbm=nws&start=0}}</ref>

The company has been awarded [[Sustainable Development Goals]] Action Award by the Punjab Planning Department for Sustainable Organic Production and Innovative Marketing System. It has also received Leadership award in Agriculture Marketing.<ref>{{Cite web|title=PAGREXCO & PMIDC wins Sustainable Development Goals Action Awards 2021 in Govt category|url=https://www.babushahi.com/full-news.php?id=133651|access-date=2021-10-31|website=www.babushahi.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-10-29|title=ਸਰਕਾਰੀ ਵਿਭਾਗਾਂ 'ਚੋਂ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਐਗਰੀ ਐਕਸਪੋਰਟ ਕਾਰਪੋਰੇਸ਼ਨ ਲਿਮਿਟਡ ਅਤੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਮਿਉਂਸੀਪਲ ਬੁਨਿਆਦੀ ਢਾਂਚਾ ਵਿਕਾਸ ਕੰਪਨੀ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਇਨਾਮ|url=https://dailypost.in/news/punjab/ਸਰਕਾਰੀ-ਵਿਭਾਗਾਂ-ਚੋਂ-ਪੰਜਾਬ/|access-date=2021-10-31|website=Daily Post Punjabi|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Punjab Agri Export Corporation Limited Received Leadership Award in 'Agriculture Marketing'|url=http://krishijagran.com/news/punjab-agri-export-corporation-limited-received-leadership-award-in-agriculture-marketing/|access-date=2021-12-27|website=krishijagran.com|language=en}}</ref>

== Activities and functions ==
PAGREXCO is working with the [[Airports Authority of India]] for modernization of perishable cargo facility at [[Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport|Amritsar airport]] and has established a facility at [[Chandigarh Airport]].<ref name=":1" /> It is the state implementing agency for the [[Operation Greens]] scheme for [[Kinnow|Kinnow Crop]] under [[Atmanirbhar Bharat|Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.]]<ref>{{Cite news|date=24 February 2021|title=Punjab appoints PAGREXCO as state implementing agency for Kinnow crop|work=Daily Pioneer|url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2021/state-editions/punjab-appoints-pagrexco-as-state-implementing-agency-for-kinnow-crop.html}}</ref> It has started first-of-its-kind program using [[blockchain]] technology for organic products for traceability, certification and transparency starting with seed potato.<ref>{{Cite news|date=13 August 2019|title=Government of Punjab announces Seed Potato Traceability and Certification Program|work=ANI News|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/business/government-of-punjab-announces-seed-potato-traceability-and-certification-program20190813184738/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Roy|first=Vijay C|date=21 February 2021|title=Now, check authenticity of organic products in Punjab|work=The Tribune|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/business/now-check-authenticity-of-organic-products-in-punjab-45568}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Gera|first=Ishaan|date=19 December 2019|title=Reaping the benefits: Tech emerging as the farmer's best friend|work=The Financial Express|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/technology/reaping-the-benefits-tech-emerging-as-the-farmers-best-friend/1798114/}}</ref> PAGREXCO is the nodal agency for implementation of Agriculture Export Policy in Punjab.<ref name=":0" /> and for promoting farmer-producer organizations (FPO).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Farmer-Producers Organization Policy for the state of Punjab|url=https://punjabhorticulture.com/Documents/FPO.pdf|website=Punjab Horticulture}}</ref> Through implementation programs by PAGREXCO, the state of Punjab has won the Jaivik India Award for organic farming.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2 January 2019|title=Punjab awarded for promoting organic farming|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/punjab-awarded-for-promoting-organic-farming/articleshow/67342201.cms}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Punjab Gets 'Jaivik India Award' For Promoting Organic Farming|url=https://www.5dariyanews.com/news/257355-Punjab-Gets-Jaivik-India-Award-For-Promoting-Organic-Farming|access-date=2021-04-15|website=5 Dariya News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Punjab govt partners with agri-tech start-up CropIn for Seed Potato Traceability|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/punjab-govt-partners-with-agri-tech-start-up-cropin-for-seed-potato-traceability/article29261602.ece|access-date=2021-04-15|website=@businessline|language=en}}</ref> PAGREXCO has set up five mechanical sorting, grading, waxing centers with capacity of 2 MT/hour for kinnow<ref>{{Cite web|title=Horticulture, Plantation crops and organic farming|url=https://niti.gov.in/planningcommission.gov.in/docs/aboutus/committee/wrkgrp11/wg11_aghorti.pdf|website=niti.gov.in|publisher=Planning Commission, Government of India}}</ref>

List of functions of PAGREXCO are as follows<ref name=":2" />-

* Exporting fresh and seasonal agricultural produces, chiefly fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
* Exporting processed agricultural produce.
* Setting up the state-of-the-art infrastructure for facilitating organic farming.
* Introducing and developing high-tech agri technologies.
* Promoting joint ventures for export-oriented agro/horticulture farms.
* Dealing with all sorts of chemical and equipment-based needs for farming

As per the Government of Punjab, PAGREXCO is the mandated agency to implement the Organic Program by providing institutional support to the organic farmers of the state under various [[Government of India]] schemes<ref>{{Cite web|title=PUNJAB GETS 'JAIVIK INDIA AWARD' FOR PROMOTING ORGANIC FARMING|url=http://diprpunjab.gov.in/?q=content/punjab-gets-%E2%80%98jaivik-india-award%E2%80%99-promoting-organic-farming|website=Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Punjab, India}}</ref> To educate the farmers about product development and branding to market their produce, PAGREXCO has launched a weekly TV show on [[Doordarshan Kendra, Jalandhar|Doordarshan Jalandhar]] and [[DD Punjabi|Doordarshan Punjabi]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=31 October 2020|title=PUNJAB AGRO TO DIRECTLY CONNECT WITH FARMERS THROUGH ITS WEEKLY 'FIVE RIVERS' SHOW|url=http://diprpunjab.gov.in/?q=content/punjab-agro-directly-connect-farmers-through%C2%A0%C2%A0its-weekly-%E2%80%98five-rivers%E2%80%99-show|website=Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Punjab, India}}</ref> Chief minister of Punjab [[Amarinder Singh|Captain Amrinder Singh]] has supported PAGREXCO's activities towards the Kinnow farmers in the state.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-07-26|title=Punjab plans big promotional boost for 'king fruit' kinnow in country|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/punjab-plans-big-promotional-boost-for-king-fruit-kinnow-in-country/story-lH9dTvSI0eaqQ7x5jRhHNP.html|access-date=2021-04-25|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>

PAGREXCO has introduced an Agricultural Export Policy for medium to long term export development, strengthening back-end and front-end infrastructure, developing production and export clusters and building capacity among farmers.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Service|first=Tribune News|title=Cereal exports: Focus on quality, infra push|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/features/focus-on-quality-infra-push-216017|access-date=2021-04-26|website=Tribuneindia News Service|language=en}}</ref> The company also provides organic certification to eligible farmers.

Punjab Agro has outperformed Mexico in the export of chilli paste to the gulf and middle eastern market. The company directly procures chilies from farmers, processes it and exports to international markets as per buyer specifications.

The company facilitates/markets over 25000 metric tons of Kinnow Mandarins from the state.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Service|first=Tribune News|title=Punjab Agro outdoes Mexico in red chilli paste|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/punjab-agro-outdoes-mexico-in-red-chilli-paste-352191|access-date=2021-12-27|website=Tribuneindia News Service|language=en}}</ref> PAGREXCO is the biggest aggregator of fruit brand "Punjab Kinnow" and uses advanced post harvest technology with edible fruit wax imported from Spain and volume metric grading (to determine post-harvest packaging standards) to extend the fruit’s shelf life up to 60 days.The company has also started home delivery services in Chandigarh-Mohali-Panchkula area with a business model favourable to farmers to ensure they get proper marketing through the "Five Rivers" brand.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-10-10|title=The e-grocery bandwagon: Small grocery startups that braved pandemic now have to compete with big chains|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/sme/the-e-grocery-bandwagon-small-grocery-startups-that-braved-pandemic-now-have-to-compete-with-big-chains/2346994/|access-date=2021-11-05|website=The Financial Express|language=en-US}}</ref> For developing Potato and Seed Potato exports from Punjab, the company also conducts capacity-building activities for Farmers in Punjab's Potato Cluster (Districts Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur).<ref>{{Cite web|title=ਆਲੂ ਦੇ ਨਿਰਯਾਤ ਲਈ ਸਮਰੱਥਾ ਨਿਰਮਾਣ ਪੋ੍ਗਰਾਮ ਕਰਵਾਇਆ|url=https://www.punjabijagran.com/punjab/jalandhar-conducted-capacity-building-program-for-potato-export-8983853.html|access-date=2021-11-15|website=Punjabi Jagran|language=pa}}</ref>

In 2019, Punjab government, through PAGREXCO partnered with agri-tech startup [[Cropin]] in order to "improve the quality of potato seed production in the State" and implement "Seed Potato Traceability".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-08-26 |title=Punjab govt partners with agri-tech start-up CropIn for Seed Potato Traceability |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/punjab-govt-partners-with-agri-tech-start-up-cropin-for-seed-potato-traceability/article29261602.ece |access-date=2022-04-29 |website=www.thehindubusinessline.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Brands ==
PAGREXCO has established a brand to market its products by the name of Five Rivers. The products include certified organic and traceable food items along with processed products. These products are marketed domestically at company owned stores by the name of "Organic Hut", at retail stores and also exported abroad.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-18 |title=ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਫੂਡਜ਼ ਦੀ ਐਕਸਪੋਰਟ ਹੁਣ ਹੋਵੇਗੀ ਹੋਰ ਤੇਜ਼ -ਮੁੱਖ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਮਾਨ |url=https://jagbani.punjabkesari.in/punjab/news/punjabi-food-export-will-grow-rapidly-1486887 |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=jagbani}}</ref>

The company has a joint venture with UNATI Cooperative Marketing-cum-Processing Society Ltd by the name of Punjab Agro UNATI Gramin Marketing Private Ltd (PUGMARK), under which a common brand by the name of AASNAA has been created.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bagga |first=Neeraj |date=April 1, 2022 |title=ODOP scheme: Amritsar's traditional achaar and murabba industry gets a push |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/amritsar/odop-scheme-traditional-achaar-and-murabba-industry-gets-a-push-382827 |work=The Tribune}}</ref>

== Agriculture Export Policy ==
In December 2019, PAGEXCO had come up with an Agriculture Export Policy (AEP). It focused on having a medium-term to long-term strategy to increase exports of agricultural produce from Punjab by strengthening back-end and front-end infrastructure to boost the export of fresh and value-added fruits and vegetables. It also talked of identifying focused commodities and clusters for developing export-related infrastructure and undertake capacity building of farmers towards making them ready to explore the markets abroad.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Service|first=Tribune News|title=Cereal exports: Focus on quality, infra push|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/features/focus-on-quality-infra-push-216017|access-date=2021-11-05|website=Tribuneindia News Service|language=en}}</ref>

== Operation Greens ==
In the budget speech of [[2018 Union budget of India|Union Budget 2018-19]], The scheme “Operation Greens” was announced on the line of “[[Operation Flood]]”, with an outlay of Rs.500 [[crore]] to promote Farmer Producers Organizations (FPO), agri-logistics, processing facilities and professional management.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Operation Greens|url=https://mofpi.nic.in/Schemes/operation-greens|website=mofpi.nic.in|publisher=Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Tandon|first=Tulika|date=2 March 2021|title=What is Operation Green?|work=Jagran Josh|url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/what-is-operation-green-know-its-features-objectives-and-other-details-here-1614690407-1}}</ref> PAGREXCO is responsible for its implementation in the state of Punjab. Important measures taken include price stabilization intervention, transport subsidies, storage subsidies etc.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Operation Greens Scheme|url=https://punjabagro.gov.in/operation-greens-scheme/|website=Punjab Agro}}</ref>

== COVID relief ==
PAGREXCO is appointed by the Punjab State government as the nodal agency for the import of COVID relief material, facilitating the entire process and free distribution<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-06|title=Punjab appoints 2 nodal officers to ease tax exemption on Covid relief imports|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/punjab-appoints-2-nodal-officers-to-ease-tax-exemption-on-covid-relief-imports-101620309278916.html|access-date=2021-05-10|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Service|first=Tribune News|title=Two nodal officers for giving tax relief|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/two-nodal-officers-for-giving-tax-relief-249651|access-date=2021-05-10|website=Tribuneindia News Service|language=en}}</ref>

== References ==

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Agriculture in Punjab, India]]
[[Category:1997 establishments in Punjab, India]]
[[Category:State agencies of Punjab, India]]
[[Category:Government agencies established in 1997]]

Punjab Agri Export Corporation - Revision history

Irinaequalliat: new initial details needs work