Aligarh: Uttar Pradesh is preparing dedicated infrastructure at Noida International Airport in Jewar to help potato growers and farmer-producer organisations (FPOs) access overseas markets, with Aligarh emerging as one of the key production centres expected to benefit.
A separate facility for potato export processing and certification is planned at the airport. The proposed infrastructure is intended to reduce the need for farmers and exporters to travel to other cities for export-related procedures.
The move comes as Uttar Pradesh, India’s leading potato-producing state, expands efforts to connect its agricultural production centres with international markets. State data lists Uttar Pradesh as the country’s top potato producer, accounting for about 28.6% of India’s output.
50-Acre Agri Export Hub Near Jewar
The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) has proposed a 50-acre Agri Export Hub near the airport’s cargo facilities.
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The planned hub is expected to include:
- Food processing and packaging infrastructure
- Product testing and certification facilities
- Gamma-radiation treatment for fresh agricultural produce
- Facilities supporting export-oriented processing and logistics
The broader plan is aimed at connecting Uttar Pradesh’s agricultural products with markets in West Asia, Europe and Russia. The state had earlier announced plans for an agricultural export hub near Jewar under the UP AGREES project, with a focus on strengthening global market access for selected farm products.
Aligarh’s Potato Belt in Focus
Aligarh is among the major potato-producing areas in western Uttar Pradesh. The district currently has around 6.5 lakh tonnes of potatoes stored across 126 cold stores, according to recent reports.
The district is also already seeing efforts to develop overseas markets. Agri Shine Farmer Producer Company, based in Aligarh, recently sent 12 quintals of potatoes to Bahrain by air, with the shipment routed through Lucknow.
A larger consignment is also being prepared: around 30 tonnes of Fry Sona and Fry Home potatoes are expected to be shipped to Bahrain by containerised sea freight. These varieties are used for products such as French fries and potato chips.
Why Jewar Matters for Potato Exporters
The proposed export facilities could give farmers and FPOs in the potato-producing belt a closer gateway to international markets.
Aligarh is about 76 km from Jewar Airport, while road connectivity through the Yamuna Expressway and Palwal Highway provides links between the production region and the airport.
Noida International Airport is also being developed with a dedicated cargo ecosystem. Its planned multimodal cargo hub includes an integrated cargo terminal and warehousing and logistics facilities, designed to connect manufacturing and agricultural production centres with domestic and international markets.
Air and Sea Routes to Serve Different Markets
While air cargo can help move smaller or time-sensitive consignments quickly, large-volume potato shipments are generally more suited to containerised sea transport because of its lower cost.
The emerging export network therefore gives Uttar Pradesh growers multiple logistics options, depending on the volume, variety, destination and urgency of a shipment.
With the proposed Jewar facilities and growing interest from overseas buyers, Aligarh and other potato-producing districts could gain an additional channel for exporting both fresh and processing-grade potatoes.
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