Key Facts about Purandar Figs

About Purandar figs:

• Purandar’s figs, known to be one of India’s finest figs, are a GI commodity, known for their sweet taste, size, and nutritional benefits. 
• It is cultivated in many villages of Purandar taluk in Pune district, Maharashtra.
• The agro-climatic factors such as dry weather, hilly slopes, well drained medium land are essential for Purandar Fig cultivation.
• Purandar has red and black soil that has high Calcium and Potassium content, which is responsible for the violet colour and size of the fig.
• It was awarded the GI Tag in 2016.
• Features:
  • Purandar fig is bell-shaped, larger in size than other varieties, and has a distinctive violet skin colour that differentiates itself from other varieties.
  • It has more than 80 percent pulp or edible part.
  • The pulp colour is pinkish red and is highly nutritious.
  • It is a rich source of vitamins and minerals.

What is the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)?

• APEDA was established by the Government of India under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act of 1985.
• It works under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Objective: To develop and promote the export of scheduled products.
• The products specified under the APEDA ACT are called scheduled products, and exportersof such scheduled products are required to register under APEDA.
• It provides financial assistance, information, and guidelines for the development of scheduled products.
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Functions:
  • Setting the standards and specificationsfor the scheduled products.
  • Registration of exportersof the scheduled products on payment of required fees.
  • Improving packaging and marketingof the Scheduled products.
  • Carrying out an inspection of products to ensure the quality of such products.
  • Training in various aspects of the industries connected with the scheduled products.
  • Development of industriesrelating to the scheduled products and undertaking surveys, feasibility studies, etc.
  • Collection of statisticsfrom the owners of factories or establishments and publication of such statistics.
• Examples of scheduled products: Fruits, Vegetable, Meat, Poultry, Dairy Products, Confectionery, Biscuits, Bakery Products, Honey, Jaggery, etc.