Guwahati Airport exports Nagaland’s famous chilli ‘Bhut Jolokia’ to London

Guwahati: The famous 'Bhut Jolokia' Nagaland's chilli has been exported for the first time from the Gateway of North East Region- Guwahati to London via Air India Flight on Wednesday from the International Cargo complex of AAI's LGBI Airport, Guwahati.

The flagging off ceremony has been done by the Chief Guest Joint Director General of Foreign Trade S Sasikumar (ITS) and AAI's (North-East Region) Regional Executive Director Ravi Kant in the presence of CISF's Commandant Lal Mohan Thakur at the Guwahati Air cargo complex.  

Addressing the media, Kant said that this occasion is special in nature because the Geographical Index 'Bhut Jolokia' being the unique product of the North East is getting exported from AAI International cargo complex of Guwahati. "We are very much enthusiastic that the cargo export potential from the North East region airports will grow which will benefit the local food-producing organisation especially the farmers. AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company Limited (AAICLAS) has developed standard facilities in air cargo complex for enabling export of NER produce to the Domestic as well as international markets".

The Indian economy is on a high trajectory of growth and requires upgraded facilities in the logistic space to cater to the growing needs of trade and the air cargo industry, he added.

Informing about international cargo facility he said that the Guwahati Airport is ready to handle 700 MT cargo with customs, EDI connectivity to process export and import shipments by positioning plant quarantine desk, cold storage, dangerous goods shed, and all the necessary security equipment like CCTV, door framed metal detector or handheld metal detector (DFMD/HHMD), X-Ray machine, Explosive trace detectors etc.

'I am very pleased to issue a Phytosanitary Certificate for Naga chilli which is going first time from Assam to the United Kingdom. This certificate is globally acceptable for plant and plant products from our country to any foreign country. The PSC are to be issued by the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and storage, Plant Quarantine Station, Guwahati. Three shipments of organic Assamese Lemon were also certified and sent to the United Kingdom before a couple of days. Again yesterday and today the betel leaves shipment also going to the United Kingdom. On Saturday we planned to send Colocasia to the United Kingdom and from the next week we would be certifying daily one or two shipments from NER to all European Countries', said Dr Vageesh Pandey, Assistant Director, Plant Quarantine Station, Guwahati

Informing more about the export consignment, AAICLAS's (NER) Deputy GM Nazeer AS Basha said that 'Bhut Jolokia', Naga Chili is procured from Kohima and parts of Nagaland which consists of 250kg as a sample shipment along with 500kgs of betel leaf is proceeding to London from our Guwahati air cargo complex. Earlier we had sent 1,200 kgs of Tripura's Jackfruits to Frankfurt, and we are regularly sending perishable cargo to London, Dubai, Hong Kong and Frankfurt from this gateway port.

"Under the krishi UDAN, North-East Region airports have airlifted near about 2,000 MT to mainland India and as extended legs we have exported to various foreign destinations for more than 25 spices by offering 50% subsidy on freight and storage charges under the Government of India's 'Operation Green.' This is a boon for the farmers of NER which will help to grow their business and to double theirs income which is also our Prime Minister's Mission of doubling the farmer's income,' Basha added. 

Earlier the Guwahati Airport cargo terminal has exported local agri-products and fruits including Lemon, ginger, betel leaves, veggies of various types to various parts of the country and to foreign destinations which are mostly organic in nature having high demand in Domestic and International markets.

The function was attended by the officials and employees from Air India, Customs, AAI Cargo Logistic & Allied Services (AAICLAS) company Ltd, CISF personnel, APEDA, FPPO officials and airport officials.

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