Pratapgarh is named after its headquartering town Belha Pratapgarh, commonly known as Pratapgarh. Raja PratapBahadur Singh (1628–1682), a local king, located his capital at Rampur near the old town of Aror. There he built a garh (fort) and called it Pratapgarh after himself.

Subsequently, the area around the fort started to be known as Pratapgarh. When the district was constituted in 1858, its headquarters was established at Belha, which came to be known as Belha Pratapgarh, the name Belha presumably being derived from the temple of Belha Bhawani on the bank of river Sai. It is popularly known as "Belha Maai" – meaning Mother Goddess Belha. District Pratapgarh has global recognition for its Amla cultivation and Amla products.

Pratapgarh district is located in eastern Uttar Pradesh and comes under the administrative control of Prayagraj division. The district lies between the parallels of 25°34′ and 26°11′ north latitude and between the meridians of 81°19′ and 82°27′ east longitude extending for some 110 Km (68mi) from west to east.
Sai and the Ganges are the main rivers flowing through Pratapgarh district. It is bounded on the north by the district of Sultanpur, on the south by Allahabad, on the east by Jaunpur, on the west by Fatehpur and north-west by Raebareli. In the south-west the Ganges forms the boundary of the district for about 50 kilometers(31mi). Separating it from Fatehpur and Allahabad and in the extreme north-east the Gomti forms the boundary for about 6 kilometers (3.7 mi). According to the Central Statistics Office, India, the district has an area of 3,730squarekilometers (1,440sqmi).

District Pratapgarh is situated in the fertile plain between the Ganges and the Yamuna rivers known as the Doab. Situated in the heart of the great Gangetic plain, Pratapgarh city is surrounded by its rural towns and villages. Pratapgarh has a warm humid subtropical climate with cool, dry winters from December to February and dry, hot summers from April to June. The rainy season is from mid-June to mid-September, when Pratapgarh gets an average rainfall of 749millimetres from the south-west monsoon winds, and occasionally frontal rainfall will occur in January. In winter, the maximum temperature is around 24 °C (75.2 °F) and the minimum is in the 2 to 3 degrees Celsius range. Fog is quite common from late December to late January. Summers are extremely hot with temperatures rising to the 40-to-46-degree Celsius range.

As given in the following table, MSME industries across the sectors of food/agro-based industries, repair & servicing, wood, metal, apparel, chemical, leather, engineering etc. are the key economy drivers of the district. According to the types of industry, the most prominent ones are Wood/wooden based Furniture with 1239 units employing 3717 individuals with 1548,75 Lakhs and Agro based industries with 864 unit, employing 2594 and with an investment of INR 1296 Lakhs.Amla and Amla processing industry at Pratapgarh is age-old industry of the district is upheld by the state by taking it under the wing of the ODOP initiative.

The following are the prominent type of industries in the district7: Repairing and service sector of MSME with 2218 units in the district is the most prominent and economy contributing sector of the district. It is followed by sectors such as “Wood and Wooden based furniture,” “Agro based” with 1239 and 864units, respectively. Out of total population of 3,209,141(2011 census), 1,066,601 are working population. Out of total working population, 65.25% are working in other industries, 31.41% are cultivators and agricultural labourers and only 3.32% are household industry workers. This indicates that agriculture is the main source of income in the district.

The total export from Pratapgarh is approximately INR10.86 Crore for the period September 2020 to November 2021. The following table depicts the value of export of major products from Pratapgarh:

The diverse climate of Uttar Pradesh is suitable for producing all kinds of horticultural crops. . In fact, Uttar Pradesh holds a leading position in total production of horticultural crops in the country. In fact, for more than 92% of small holding farmers, horticultural crops are the main source of higher income, employment and nutrition per unit area. With the increasing importance of horticultural crops its producers are aware and are improving economic status by adopting the horticultural crops while optimum utilization of the available resources. Horticultural crops are diverse which include all kinds of fruits, vegetables, flowers, medicinal and aromatic crops, root and tuber crops, spices and beekeeping as well as mushroom cultivation as a subsidiary enterprise along with their processing and value addition.Uttar Pradesh has vast source of raw agricultural material for food processing industry and has prominent share in India’s agricultural and horticultural production. Some prominent features of Uttar Pradesh as one of the states of India are:
► Share in Wheat production – 34%
► Share in Fruits production – 19%
► Share in Vegetables production – 30%
► Contributes 60 % of meat exports from India
► 35% share in Sugarcane output, ranks 2nd in sugar production
► Established three agro food parks at Barabanki, Varanasi, Ayodhya and four pack houses at Lucknow, Saharanpur, Barabanki, Varanasi
► Mega Food Park proposed at Jagdishpur
Pratapgarh is famous for cultivation of superior quality of Amla and amla products. Amla production in this district is spread across 17 development blocks and cultivation area is more than 70000 hectares which spreads in Sadar, Patti, Raniganj, Lalganj tehsils. Since, Amla is the basic cash crop of Pratapgarh, majority of inhabitants engaged around 15 to 20% of their land for Amla cultivation. The approximate annual production of Amla is more than 1.5 lakh metric tons. Pratapgarh contributes around 65% of the total amla production in Uttar Pradesh. The major production of Amla products happen in pockets of Sandwa, Chandika, Mangora, and Chilbila blocks of the district. These belts are also called as fruit belts by Government of Uttar Pradesh. More than 100 MSEs are working in this district which are mainly located in Chillbila, Gode, Sonaba, Mohanganj, etc. Approximately 30 food processing units are registered, and more than 70 units are processing amla in an unorganised way. The cluster has an annual production of more than 8000 MT (Amla products) and annual turnover of 30 Crores. More than 1500 families are associated with the Amla business directly or indirectly. More than 35% of them are youths.

Only 15 to 20% of total production is currently being utilised by the regional units located in the district for manufacturing of amla products. More than 3500 people are employed directly and indirectly in the district through these units. More than 75% of the Amla production is being purchased by the MNCs from India. The established companies like Dabour, Vaidyanath, Jhandu, Patanjali, etc. are procuring Amla from this district to produce medicinal products.
In Pratapgarh district, mainly products like Murabba, Pickles, Jam, Jelly, Laddu, Sweet, Barfi, Candy, Juice, Powder, Supari, Chyawanprash, Churn, etc. are produced. Since, Amla contains plenty of Vitamin C properties and it is natural, this Amla is famous in national and international market. Amlais also being used to cure various kinds of diseases as medicine.

Banarasi: It is an early maturing variety, matures in mid-October to mid-November. It has large sized fruits i.e., 48gmin weight, skin is smooth, and fruits are not for preservation purpose. The variety contains 1.4% fiber content. The average yield is 120kg/tree. Krishna: It is also an early maturing variety, matures in mid-October to mid-November. It has medium to large sized fruits i.e. 44.6gm in weight, skin is smooth and stripe is well marked. The variety contains 1.4% fiber content. The average yield is 123kg/tree. ;
NA-9: It is also an early maturing variety, matures in mid-October to mid-November. It has large sized fruits i.e., 50.3gm having oblong shape, skin is smooth and thin. The variety contains low fiber content i.e. 0.9% and highest ascorbic content i.e. 100gm. It is used for making jams, jellies and candies. NA-10: It is also an early maturing variety, matures in mid-October to mid-November. It has mediumtolargesizedfruitsi.e.41.5gm in weight, skin is rough and have six distinct segments. Flesh is whitish green in color having 1.5% of fiber content. Francis: It is amid-season crop from mid-November to mid-December. It has large size fruit i.e., 45.8gm in weight having greenish white in color. Fiber content is moderate i.e. 1.5%. The variety is also known as Hathi Jhool because of its drooping branches.

Although Pratapgarh has 80 % sharing in total Amla production of Uttar Pradesh but still do not have GI status. The Amla producers have long term demand to provide GI status of Amla.;

There are no specific industry association of Amla producers and processors in the district.;

The following table lists the HS codes under which the products are exported from the district:;

The export scenario of India and Uttar Pradesh have been analysed basis the export statistics of HS codes mentioned above under which Amla products are exported. Alongside are the key facts pertaining to the analysed product codes.;
Based on our analysis, we have identified key synergies that should be developed to expand our current reach and potential; These synergies are divided into immediate and long term. The immediate synergies include countries with Signed FTA’s, high growth potential, and one is catered by India and not UP. Whereas the long-term synergies include countries with untapped market potential which can only be fulfilled if UP’s exporters comply and raise the quality of the product to the highest standards, freight rates are more subsidized and major efforts is required in marketing which will require time to accommodate

► The total exports of Amla products from Pratapgarh district are negligible.
► Other prominent products exported from Pratapgarh District is non-Basmati Rice.
► The cluster has tremendous export potential, but owing to lack of proper market assessment mechanism, lack of awareness about export process it is negligible.
► Hence, it was pointed out that the proper study of the foreign market, region specific demand patterns to be ascertained. Along with that, a common platform to be created where there can be integration between the exporters and importers, thereby making the export ecosystem robust and effective.
► Amla products do not have specific HSN codes. Based on stake holder consultations, following HSN codes were mentioned for the product. –
Product 200190: Uttar Pradesh exports this product to UAE, Nepal, Bahrain, Qatar, UK, Thailand, USA, Canada, Finland, Tanzania, Bangladesh, and Armenia Below figure shows the top importers for this product (200190) in the world:

Product Diversification is one of the most crucial product uplifting strategies which in turn is an important part of a product’s export. This plays a vital role in any products exports as it is a product uplifting strategy. Most processors are not bothered about changing their product range and they fail to understand that it is an integral part of comprehensive marketing. Diversification can be brought in the cluster by:
1. Development of a new products: The processors of the district should be encouraged to diversify the product categories and must be provided with enough resources to create advance processed Amla products without losing the nutritional value and essence of Amla. The cluster requires more focus on new varieties of Amla and Amla products which are in high demand in the global market. 2. Use of new and advanced processing techniques It has also been found that most of the Amla processors are using old techniques in Amla processing. The requirement of advance processing machineries is essential so that the nutritious value of final product should be similar to Amla.

The state is a leading producer in agriculture products like rice, wheat, sugarcane etc. The economy of the cluster is heavily dependent on agriculture products. Approximate Export turnover of the Rice is INR 9.30 Cr.

Rice: Any rice other than Basmati Rice is named as non-Basmati rice. In the world it has been reported that there are over10,000 varieties of rice and out of which the maximum number are in India.

Rice: Multiple varieties of rice exist including short-grain, medium-grain, and long-grain varieties.;

Following are principal Industry Associations that are working for the development of Rice:
► Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
► Indian Industries Association (IIA)
► Rice Export Promotion Forum (REPF)
► Participatory Rural Development Foundation (PRDF) - PRDF is a Gorakhpur based philanthropic organisation founded Dr. Ram Chet Chaudhary, a leading Agri-scientist working for the benefit of farming community of North India
► International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) - world’s premier research organization dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science; improving the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; and protecting the rice-growing environment for future generations ;

► National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack (NRRI) - The National Rice Research Institute is located in Cuttack in Odisha state. The basic objective of institute is to conduct basic, applied, and adaptive research on crop improvement and resource management for increasing and stabilizing rice productivity in different rice ecosystems with special emphasis on rainfed ecosystems and the related abiotic stresses
► U.P. Council of Agricultural Research (UPCAR) - The UPCAR is an autonomous apex state organisation registered as a society, which plans, co-ordinates and promotes research, education, training, and transfer of technology for advancement of agriculture and allied sciences. The UPCAR was established on June 14, 1989, with its headquarters at Lucknow.
► Agriculture Department
► Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)

HS codes under which the product is exported from the district. ;

;

The export scenario of World and India have been analysed basis the export statistics of HS code 100630 (Semi-milled or wholly milled rice, whether or not polished or glazed)under which non-Basmati rice is exported from Pratapgarh district. Alongside are the key facts pertaining to the analysed product code. India’s export compared to world is very low (approximately 29.76%). ;

Rice: HS Code 100630 (Semi-milled or wholly milled rice, whether or not polished or glazed)
► The total exports of product from Pratapgarh district as per HS code 100630 are around INR 9.30 crores in the period September 20 to September 2021.

► India's exports represent 29.8% of world exports for this product, its ranking in world exports is 1.
► India exported this product to Iran, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Yemen, China, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, USA, Nepal etc. Below figure shows the top importers for this product (100630) in the world:

Rice: Product Diversification is one of the most crucial product uplifting strategies which in turn is an important part of a product’s export. Currently, only the grains of rice are being sold directly in the market. Knowing the health benefits of the product an initiative can be made for product diversification to manufacture value added products such as chiwda, poha, brown rice, rice noodles, idli&dosa batter. The broken rice can be used to create flour. Rice flour is gluten-free; therefore, it is an alternative for producing gluten-free products. Rice flour is also hypoallergenic. Thus, it can be utilized for producing baby food, puddings, and other food products. Due to the decreased risk for people with sensitivities, food companies prefer rice flour to other varieties of flour. Thus, it is economically justifiable to grind broken rice to produce flour for such applications.
With adequate upgradation of technology in the cluster the farmers/ millers can sell by-products and generate additional income by manufacturing by-products from Rice Husks, Brans and Straws; the following are their uses: