New policy aims at doubling farm exports to $60 bn by 2022
07 Dec 2018
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The union cabinet on Thursday approved a new policy for export of agricultural products that aims to double agricultural exports from around $30 million at present to over $60 billion by 2022 and reach $100 billion in the next few years, with a stable trade policy regime.
The cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi also approved a proposal for the establishment of monitoring framework at the centre with commerce as the nodal department with representation from various ministries/departments and agencies and representatives of concerned state governments, to oversee the implementation of Agriculture Export Policy.
The policy proposes diversification of the country’s export basket and destinations with emphasis on high value and value added agricultural exports, especially perishables, so as to double farmers’ income by 2022. Exports of agricultural products would play a pivotal role in achieving this goal.
The government will promote novel, indigenous, organic, ethnic, traditional and non-traditional agri products exports, with institutional support.
The government will assist exporters in pursuing market access, tackling barriers and dealing with sanitary and phyto-sanitary issues and strive to double India’s share in world agri-exports by integrating with global value chain at the earliest.
The comprehensive `Agriculture Export Policy’ aims at doubling India’s agriculture exports and integrating Indian farmers and agricultural products with the global value chains, thereby enabling farmers to get benefit of export opportunities in overseas market.
The recommendations in the Agriculture Export Policy have been organised in two categories – strategic and operational:
Strategic:
Policy measures
Infrastructure and logistics support
Holistic approach to boost exports
Greater involvement of state governments in agri exports
Focus on clusters
Promoting value-added exports
Marketing and promotion of ‘Brand India’
Operational:
Attract private investments into production and processing
Establishment of strong quality regimen
Research and development
Miscellaneous
The policy intends to “harness export potential of Indian agriculture, through suitable policy instruments, to make India global power in agriculture and raise farmers’ income,” according to the policy document.
