Overview
- Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma ceremonially flagged off a 500 kg consignment of GI‑tagged Tezpur litchis bound for Singapore on Friday, with the Singapore High Commissioner expressing interest in buying another 500 kg.
- The shipment of the ‘Piyaji’ variety will fly to Singapore on a Druk Air route via Bhutan through Guwahati and follows a recent APEDA‑facilitated export of about 2,000 kg to Dubai.
- Officials say export volumes are limited this season because Tezpur litchis are currently harvested from roughly 3,000 trees, keeping short‑term supply far below rising overseas demand.
- Assam’s government plans to use the GI tag and APEDA channels to widen market access while enforcing strict fertilizer and quality protocols and supporting farmers to expand production.
- Officials framed the litchi push as a model for other Assam specialties such as Kaji Nemu, Bhut Jolokia, jackfruit and ginger, with possible gains for farm incomes if standards and cultivation rise.