Government Approves ‘First’ Agriculture Export Policy

The Indian government on 6 December approved the country’s first Agriculture Export Policy with an aim to increase agricultural export to $60 billion by 2022 as well as double farmers’ income, said Commerce and Industry Minister, Suresh Prabhu.

He said, “In less than a year, we have managed to lift the agricultural exports to $37 billion from $30 billion and now through this policy we are sure to increase it to $60 billion by the end of 2022. Moreover, the policy is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of doubling farmers’ income”.

The objectives of the policy is also to expand the export basket and destinations and to boost high-value and value-added exports, with a focus on perishables.

The minister further said the policy was made after discussion with the state governments adding that states have also agreed to remove ‘mandi tax’ as well as reforms in Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) norms.

According to a press release, the policy will also aim at promoting the export of “organic, indigenous, novel, ethnic, traditional and non-traditional” products. It will work to provide an institutional mechanism for access into the market, tackling obstacles and managing sanitary and phytosanitary issues.

And to achieve this, the government will work with the State governments to create groups that can focus on particular crops.