Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
Agriculture
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
APEDA is a crucial government body for boosting India's agricultural exports, which directly impacts farmer income, foreign exchange earnings, and India's position in global trade, aligning with economic development and agricultural policy objectives.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is a statutory body established under the APEDA Act, 1985, by the Government of India. It functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry with the mandate to promote the export of scheduled agricultural and processed food products.
Facts & tables
- Nature
- Statutory body established under the APEDA Act, 1985.
- Parent Ministry
- Functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- Mandate
- Export promotion and development of scheduled products (fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, etc.).
- Functions
- Undertakes market development, infrastructure development, quality improvement, packaging, and training.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Agricultural Policies & Supply Chains |
| Conceptual area | Constitutional & Statutory Bodies |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| APEDA | Promotes exports |
| Ministry of Commerce and Industry | Parent ministry |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
Prelims angle: Factual recall
- Statutory body (APEDA Act, 1985).
- Under Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
- Promotes export of scheduled agri & processed foods.
- Focus on market development, quality, infrastructure.
- Facilitates GI-tagged product exports.
Check if created by Constitution or by Parliament.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Factual recall, Terminology-based question |
| 2026 | Policy measures, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2021 | Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2020 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2019 | Conceptual understanding, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2018 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2016 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2014 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
Timeline
-
Agricultural Policies & Supply Chains
Conceptual area
-
Constitutional & Statutory Bodies
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2014
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2016
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2018
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2019
Conceptual understanding, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2020
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2021
Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2026
Factual recall, Terminology-based question
-
Prelims 2026
Policy measures, Multi-statement analysis
-
APEDA Facilitates First Commercial Export of GI-Tagged Rewa Sundarja Mangoes from Madhya Pradesh to UAE
APEDA is a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, established in 1985, tasked with promoting the export of various agricultural and processed food products from India through market development, quality assurance, and infrastructure support.
See also
Past papers
2014–2026 · 8 questions
In the news
APEDA Facilitates First Commercial Export of GI-Tagged Rewa Sundarja Mangoes from Madhya Pradesh to UAE
APEDA is a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, established in 1985, tasked with promoting the export of various agricultural and processed food products from India through market development, quality assurance, and infrastructure support.
Try these PYQs
With reference to organic farming in India, consider the following statements:
1. The National Programme for Organic Production' (NPOP) is operated under the guidelines and directions of the Union Ministry of Rural Development.
2. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority' (APEDA) functions as the Secretariat for the implementation of NPOP.
3. Sikkim has become India's first fully organic State.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is Incorrect: The National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) is operated under the guidelines and directions of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW), not the Ministry of Rural Development. Statement 2 is Correct: The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) does function as the Secretariat for the implementation of NPOP. APEDA plays a crucial role in promoting and certifying organic products in India. Statement 3 is Correct: Sikkim has indeed become India's first fully organic State. This achievement signifies India's efforts to promote sustainable agricultural practices. Therefore, the correct answer is 2 and 3 only.
In the context of India’s preparation for Climate-smart Agriculture, consider the following statements:
1. The ‘Climate-Smart Village’ approach in India is a part of a project led by the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), an international research programme.
2. The project of CCAFS is carried out under Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) headquartered in France.
3. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India is one of the CGIAR’s research centres.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Statement 1 is correct. The Climate-Smart Village (CSV) approach is an initiative under the CCAFS program, which focuses on improving climate resilience in agriculture through research and innovation. CCAFS operates in multiple countries, including India, and works on sustainable farming practices, resource efficiency, and climate adaptation strategies in rural areas. Statement 2 is correct. CCAFS is a global research initiative under the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), which is a network of international agricultural research organizations. However, CGIAR’s global headquarters is in Montpellier, France, making the statement factually accurate. Statement 3 is correct. ICRISAT, based in Hyderabad, India, is a major research institute focusing on improving dryland agriculture. It is indeed one of the CGIAR’s 15 global research centers, working on climate resilience, crop improvement, and food security in semi-arid regions.
At the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) held in June, 2025 in France, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations demonstrated its leading voice on marine and ocean issues, especially on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture for resilient livelihood and "Blue Transformation".
Which of the following combinations about the "Four Betters" proposed by FAO for "Blue Transformation" is correct ?
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations guides its global work through a strategic framework aimed at supporting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The core organizing principle of this framework is the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems to achieve the "Four Betters". The "Four Betters" are officially defined as:
1. Better Production: Ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns.
2. Better Nutrition: Ending hunger, achieving food security, and improving access to healthy diets.
3. Better Environment: Protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
4. Better Life: Promoting inclusive economic growth and reducing inequalities, leaving no one behind. The Blue Transformation is a specific FAO vision and programmatic priority area that aims to secure and maximize the contribution of aquatic food systems (fisheries and aquaculture) to achieve these overarching "Four Betters". Options A, C, and D are incorrect because they include fabricated pillars such as "better ocean", "better coral reefs", "better estuaries", or "better mangrove vegetation", which are not part of the FAO's official strategic framework. Therefore, Option B is the correct answer.
Which among the following is/are the objective(s) of the Rainfed Area Development (RAD) initiative under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)?
1. Encouraging monoculture in rainfed areas
2. Increasing rice cultivation in irrigated regions
3. Enhancing productivity and minimising climatic risks through Integrated Farming Systems (IFS)
Select the answer using the code given below:
Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Rainfed Area Development (RAD) scheme explicitly promotes Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) rather than monoculture. It integrates multi-cropping and rotational cropping with allied activities like horticulture, livestock, fishery, and agro-forestry to diversify income and build resilience. Official guidelines actively discourage single-cropping (monoculture) systems. Statement 2 is Incorrect: As the name implies, RAD targets rainfed areas (regions lacking assured irrigation) to build resilience against climate variability. It does not focus on expanding water-intensive crops like rice in already irrigated regions. Statement 3 is Correct: The core objective of RAD is to make rainfed agriculture more productive, sustainable, remunerative, and climate-resilient. By diversifying income sources through Integrated Farming Systems (IFS), RAD aims to minimize the risks associated with climatic variability (such as droughts, heat stress, or floods) and crop failure, ensuring stable livelihoods for farmers. Therefore, option D is the correct answer.
Programme/ Project Ministry
1. Drought-Prone Area Programme: Ministry of Agriculture
2. Desert Development Programme: Ministry of Environment and Forests
3. National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas: Ministry of Rural Development
Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?
Pair 1 is not correct: The drought prone area programme comes under Ministry of Rural Development. This programme aims to mitigate the impacts of droughts on crop production, livestock, land and water resources. Pair 2 is not correct: The Desert Development Programme comes under Ministry of Rural Development. The basic objective of the Desert Development Programme is to minimise negative effect of drought and control desertification. Pair 3 is not correct: The national watershed project for rainfed areas implemented by Ministry of Agriculture is an umbrella scheme under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana.
Show 3 more PYQs
The economic cost of food grains to the Food Corporation of India is Minimum Support Price and bonus (if any) paid to the farmers plus
The correct answer is (C) procurement incidentals and distribution cost. Here's a breakdown of the economic cost of food grains to the Food Corporation of India (FCI): Minimum Support Price (MSP) and bonus (if any): This is the price paid by the FCI to farmers to procure food grains at a pre-determined level. It serves as a safety net for farmers and ensures some income stability. Procurement incidentals: These are the additional costs incurred by the FCI during the procurement process. They include expenses like - Commission to agents or societies involved in procurement - Bagging materials - Labor charges for procurement activities - Transportation from collection centers to storage depots Distribution cost: This refers to the expenses incurred by the FCI to distribute the procured food grains. It includes - Transportation costs from storage depots to fair price shops or other distribution channels - Handling and storage charges at fair price shops - Losses during storage and transportation
In India, which of the following can be considered as public investment in agriculture?
1. Fixing Minimum Support Price for agricultural produce of all crops
2. Computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies
3. Social Capital development
4. Free electricity supply to farmers
5. Waiver of agricultural loans by the banking system
6. Setting up of cold storage facilities by the governments
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Public investment in agriculture refers to government expenditures aimed at improving the agricultural sector, including infrastructure development, technological improvements, and providing institutional support. Statement 1 is incorrect: Fixing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) is a policy decision, not an investment. While it affects the agricultural sector, it is not a direct public investment in terms of capital expenditure. Statement 2 is correct: The computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) is a public investment because it involves government funds directed towards modernizing agricultural credit systems, enhancing efficiency, and accessibility for farmers. Statement 3 is correct: Social Capital development is a public investment in agriculture, as it involves building networks and community-based resources that help farmers improve productivity and access to resources. Statement 4 is incorrect: Free electricity supply is more of a subsidy, not a direct public investment in the form of capital expenditure. Statement 5 is incorrect: Waiver of agricultural loans is a policy measure aimed at alleviating farmer debt but does not qualify as an investment in infrastructure or capital. Statement 6 is correct: The setting up of cold storage facilities by the government is a direct public investment aimed at improving agricultural infrastructure and reducing post-harvest losses. Hence, option C is the correct answer.
With reference to ‘Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana’, consider the following statements:
1. Under this scheme, farmers will have to pay a uniform premium of two per cent for any crop they cultivate in any season of the year.
2. This scheme covers post-harvest losses arising out of cyclones and unseasonal rains.
Which of the statements given about is/are correct?
The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is a government-sponsored crop insurance scheme. Statement 1 is Incorrect: Under this scheme, farmers have to pay a uniform premium of 2% for all Kharif crops, 1.5% for all Rabi crops, and 5% for commercial/horticultural crops. The premium rate is not uniform for all crops in all seasons. Statement 2 is Correct: The scheme does cover post-harvest losses arising out of cyclones and unseasonal rains. Hence, option B is the correct answer.