There is some good news from the agricultural sector in the Indian region of Varanasi. For the first time, a consignment of four tonnes of green vegetables including chilli, cucumber and bottle gourd has been sent to Delhi to be exported to the UK. Earlier, vegetable consignments from the Varansi region were sent only to the Gulf countries.

Divisional commissioner Deepak Agrawal said: "On Tuesday evening, a truck left with four tonnes of farm fresh green chilli, gourd and cucumber in air-conditioned containers for Delhi. The vegetables grown by a progressive farmer, Anil Kumar Rai, in his fields in Ghazipur, will reach London by air cargo on Thursday from Delhi."

"It is a welcome development for the Varanasi region as the dispatch to London will generate opportunities in European market," he said. The last dispatch by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), in its endeavour to promote exports from rich agricultural regions of India, was made on December 20, 2019 from Varanasi to Dubai. It was the first trial shipment of vegetables through sea

Given the potential of production of fruits and vegetables in the region which includes Ghazipur, Jaunpur, Chandauli of Varanasi division and neighbouring Mirzapur and Bhadohi, APEDA has begun the process of setting up agri-export hubs in the region.