A national-level Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet and Expo will be held in Sri Vijaya Puram on February 23 and 24 with the aim of providing island-based producers direct access to national markets. The two-day event will take place at Megapode Resort, Haddo, and is expected to bring together buyers and sellers from across sectors under one platform.
The event is being organised by the Department of Agriculture, Industries and Fisheries, Andaman and Nicobar Administration in association with the Indian Chamber of Commerce, Kolkata. It is being supported by multiple national agencies including APEDA, MPEDA, the Coconut Development Board, the National Fisheries Development Board and RAMP, reflecting a coordinated push to promote island products beyond regional boundaries.
The meet is designed to offer progressive farmers, agri-horti entrepreneurs, fishermen, self-help groups, farmer producer organisations, micro and small enterprises and startups from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands an opportunity to directly engage with national buyers. By reversing the traditional buyer-seller format, the event aims to give local producers greater visibility and negotiating space.
Officials associated with the event said the primary objective is to expand market reach and create sustainable business linkages for island producers. Direct interactions between buyers and sellers are expected to help strengthen brand presence, improve understanding of market requirements and open up possibilities for long-term partnerships. Active participation across both days has been planned to ensure outcome-oriented engagements.
Alongside structured business-to-business interactions, a dedicated product exhibition will form a major component of the event. The exhibition will showcase a wide range of products that reflect the agricultural and marine strengths of the islands. These include coconut and value-added coconut products, spices such as true cinnamon, nutmeg, bay leaf and black pepper, marine and fishery-based products, tropical cut flowers, multifloral honey and other value-added items produced locally.
The organisers have positioned the expo as a platform to highlight the diversity and quality of island products on a national stage. By placing buyers and producers under one roof, the event is expected to reduce dependence on intermediaries and improve price discovery for local stakeholders.
The Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet and Expo is being seen as part of efforts by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration to strengthen agriculture, fisheries and allied sectors through market-driven initiatives. Officials indicated that such platforms are critical for translating production potential into economic returns, particularly in geographically isolated regions.
With participation expected from buyers across the country, the event is projected to serve as a milestone in promoting the islands’ products and fostering sustainable economic opportunities. The outcome of the meet is likely to shape future initiatives aimed at integrating island producers into national supply chains while supporting entrepreneurship and value addition.
