In 1996, the government adopted a bold and unique agriculture policy for the first time in the country to increase investment in agriculture, bring in a shift from subsistence agriculture to commercial agriculture and accorded status of industry to agriculture. An exclusive organisation, The Agricultural Promotion and Investment Corporation of Orissa Limited (APICOL) was set up in Bhubaneswar, Orissa, with the objective of translating the above objectives into reality through undertaking various promotional roles such as providing counselling and escort services, entrepreneurship building, extending consultancy services, disseminating information amongst entrepreneurs and above all act as a single window channelizing agency for various incentives under agriculture policy.
Activities
APICOL is a promotional organization, which promotes commercial agriculture including agro based and food processing industries. It also provides handholding supports to entrepreneurs including counselling and escort service. The organisation also channelises various enterprises under different schemes in favour of such incentives.
Speaking about the various activities of APICOL, Dr. AK Behera, managing director, says, “APICOL also undertakes entrepreneurship building programmes, awareness workshops and seminars. It has been a continuous effort of APICOL to source technologies from R&D institutions, identify the scope and potential of various enterprises in a particular location/region and thereafter prepare bankable project reports and identify suitable entrepreneurs to carry it forward,” adding, “We also commission various feasibility studies before considering the need of various enterprises. APICOL provides almost one-stop solution to agri entrepreneurs.”
Apart from above, APICOL acts as the nodal agency for Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, acts as virtual office of APEDA under Ministry of Commerce, Government of India an organization to facilitate export of agricultural produces and processed foods in the country. “APICOL also channalizes assistance from APEDA for participation in international trade fairs. Some portion of travel expenditure, participation fee, stall charges if any, preparation brochures etc are part of assistance provided,” informs Dr. Behera. APICOL also runs the NCJD’s Jute Services Centre under Ministry of Textiles, Government of India to build awareness on various jute diversified products. “This organization also works as think tank for the agriculture department of government of Orissa. It facilitates various policy initiatives taken by the government from time to time,” he adds.
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