Cashew nut and its products to the First Schedule to the APEDA Act

**Report on Amendment to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act, 1985** **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes an amendment to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act, 1985, specifically the addition of "Cashew nuts and its products" to the First Schedule of the Act. The amendment, effective July 29, 2022, aims to promote the export of cashew nuts and its products by including them under the purview of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). This inclusion will likely lead to increased support and regulatory oversight for the cashew nut industry concerning export activities. **2. Introduction:** This report provides an overview of the amendment to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act, 1985, as evidenced by a notification dated July 29, 2022. The analysis is based solely on the provided policy text. The purpose is to inform stakeholders about the amendment's content and potential implications. **3. Policy Overview:** * **Original Policy:** This amendment concerns the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act, 1985 (2 of 1986). * **Core Objective(s):** The core objective, as explicitly stated in the text, is to further the "development and promotion of export of cashew nuts and its products." **4. Background and Rationale:** The amendment adds cashew nuts and its products to the list of items covered by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act, 1985. The underlying reason for this amendment is that the Central Government considers it "necessary and expedient" to add cashew nuts and its products to the First Schedule to the Act, indicating a perceived need to boost the export of these products. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This is an amendment, and the key provision is the addition of the following entry to the First Schedule of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act, 1985: * **What specific part of the original policy is being changed:** The First Schedule of the Act. * **What the *new* rule/provision *is*:** "16. Cashew nuts and its products." is added to the First Schedule of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act, 1985, after serial number 15. * **Explain the *difference* or the *effect* of this specific change:** By including cashew nuts and its products in the First Schedule, these commodities now fall under the regulatory and developmental purview of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority. This means the industry can now access APEDA's support for export promotion, including financial assistance, market intelligence, and quality control measures. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience and stakeholders are: * Cashew nut producers * Cashew nut processors * Cashew nut exporters * Related industry associations **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible agency/bodies mentioned:** The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, specifically the Department of Commerce, and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) are responsible. The notification was issued by a Joint Secretary (Jt. Secy.) in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. * **Timelines or procedures specified *in the text*:** The amendment is effective from July 29, 2022, the date of the notification. No specific procedures are detailed in the provided text. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcomes of this amendment are: * Increased cashew nut exports. * Enhanced competitiveness of the Indian cashew nut industry in the global market. * Improved quality and standardization of cashew nut products for export. * Greater access to government support and resources for cashew nut exporters. **9. Conclusion:** The amendment to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act, 1985, adding cashew nuts and their products to the First Schedule, is a significant step towards promoting the export of these commodities. By bringing the cashew nut industry under the APEDA's umbrella, the government aims to provide targeted support and regulatory oversight, ultimately enhancing the sector's export performance. This amendment signifies a commitment to supporting the growth and global competitiveness of the Indian cashew nut industry.

Key Entities Referenced