FCI and CWC Working Together on Advanced Crop Storage

Minister for consumer affairs, food and public distribution Piyush Goyal informed that the Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) and the Food Corporation of India (FCI) are working on innovative crop storage systems for the farmers. 

According to the minister, a cluster-based strategy to agri produce marketing and exports would assist lower production costs without sacrificing quality. He believes that rubber and specialty goods from various states have enormous potential. 

Goyal said India's attitude has shifted under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guidance. "The effort done over the previous seven years has created a strong basis for building a powerful India of the future," he added. 

According to a WTO study, India ranked ninth in the top ten lists of agricultural produce exporters in 2019, with 3.1 percent of worldwide agricultural exports. Goyal further stated that agricultural and related product exports, including marine and plantation commodities, increased 17.34 percent in 2020-21 compared to the previous fiscal year (2019-20). 

The minister also said that the five pillars to build Atma Nirbhar Kisan must be prioritized. That include the Rs 1 lakh crore Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), digital agriculture, the national mission on oilseeds and oil palm, and agricultural exports. 

Goyal, who also serves as the Union commerce minister, spoke about the different efforts and activities undertaken by the Centre, saying that the department of commerce has gone out to states, districts, and farms in order to promote agricultural product exports. 

Farmers have been given a "stake in exports of their goods," he continued, "export market connections have been offered to farmers/FPOs," and export-oriented production through Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) has been promoted." 

He was cited in the release as stating, "India has the attention of the whole world today, and we are being looked upon as a trustworthy partner." 

He said that India is “expecting FTAs/PTAs with several countries,” including the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Australia, among others, to assist “boost farm exports.”