The National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) - formally known in India as the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage (DPPQS) - and the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) are both responsible for monitoring and promoting agricultural production and exports while maintaining plant health.

The role of these two bodies becomes even more critical amid India's efforts to expand its share in the global agricultural and farm produce market.

One of the key functions of the NPPO is to monitor post-harvest pest control and other diseases that may hit agricultural products meant for export. Post-harvest treatment is critical for the export of agri-produce. It is not just Japan that adheres to a zero-tolerance policy for food imports, as several other countries also have stringent standards.

A person familiar with the development told The Secretariat that the NPPO and even APEDA failed to make a timely intervention. “The government has sought an explanation from these organisations, but a standard operating process must be put in place,” the person said.

Calls and emails sent to these organisations on the issue went unanswered.

Rejected, Again

During the mandatory inspection exercise that Japan follows before imports, several heat treatment plants, including one located in Vashi in Navi Mumbai, were found to be non-operational.

This is not the first time that Indian mangoes have been rejected.

Last year, the US, which is India’s largest market for mangoes, refused entry to about 15 shipments due to inadequate documentation of the treatment protocol. Though it had little to do with the treatment process, repeated lapses related to either the pest control process or proper documentation can damage India’s credibility as a global supplier of food and vegetables.

Heat Treatment For Vegetables And Fruits

Hot water or vapour heat treatment is much needed to ensure that mangoes remain free of post-harvest diseases. This is a key exercise enabling Indian mango growers to meet international export standards. 

An effective alternative to eliminate pests and other diseases, the exercise is applicable to several other fruits and vegetables that are exported. Papayas, guavas, tomatoes, watermelons, and melons need to be adequately treated for exports to countries like the US, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and several European nations, besides Japan.

Needless to say, such instances can dent India’s image as a credible global food and agri-produce supplier. India is a key exporter of tomatoes and guavas. A chunk of guavas is exported to the US, UK, the Netherlands, and the Middle East.

“One incident like this (Japan’s rejection of Indian mangoes) can prove detrimental as New Delhi’s image as a credible food and agro-products exporter gets tarnished, and this impacts overall shipment,” the person said.

 An Observer Foundation Research report noted that even as India has been harnessing its rich food and farm culture as an effective soft power tool, the same can turn into a weakness if there are food safety lapses, tarnishing the "Brand India" image. “Failure in safety comes with a reputation cost: if import nations keep associating Indian exports with repeated safety failure incidents, it destroys confidence in India's food supply chains,” the report said.

Rejection Of Other Agri Items 

In the past, Indian consignments of rice, seafood, spices, among others, have been rejected either due to documentation lapses or failure to adhere to the required standards of pest control treatment.  

Sources said that policymakers need to address this issue, especially as India is now aggressively inking trade pacts with several countries.

At a time when the government is trying to increase exports of agricultural and allied commodities and grab a larger share of the global trade, it is imperative to put in place a stringent end-to-end process for treatment protocol and documentation.

The Economic Survey said that India, with the second-largest agricultural land area in the world, ranks among the top producers of several commodities globally, but its share in exports remains minuscule at less than 3%.

Though agricultural export earnings have risen from US$ 34.5 billion in 2019-22 to US$ 51.1 billion in 2024-25, a growth of 8.2%, the potential is far wider.

India must act now.