New Delhi, Dec 9(UNI) Eyeing the global demand , especially in the US, European and Japan food markets, the emphasis in the National Agricultural Export Policy is laid on export of indigenous , innovative, organic, local spices, traditional and non conventional agriculture products.
Indian exports have a strong position in the global market, but to take things to a next level, introduction of new products and new markets was essential, a senior official of the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry said.
Although , the US, Europe and East Asia are traditional markets of Indian products but of late, it seems that new possibilities were underway for food products in these markets.
Apart from this, people from India now living in foreign countries also demand Indian products.
He further said that the Agricultural Export Policy clearly emphasises on products that have huge overseas demand, and they are being produced in different parts of the country.
This policy will not only prepare a basic framework , but will also connect the farmers from the remote areas in the country to global markets.
Developing a proper system for the market access for agricultural produce and removing obstacles from the related businesses are the key objectives of the policy, the official said.
The Cabinet has approved Ministry of Commerce & Industry’s proposal for approval of Agriculture Export Policy.
It also approved the proposal for establishment of Monitoring Framework at Centre with Commerce as the nodal Department with representation from various line Ministries/Departments and Agencies and representatives of concerned State Governments, to oversee the implementation of Agriculture Export Policy.
'Objectives of the Agriculture Export Policy will be to double agricultural exports from present around 30 billion dollar to 60 billion dollar by 2022 and reach 100 Billion dollars in the next few years thereafter, with a stable trade policy regime.
The Government has come out with a policy to double farmers’ income by 2022. Exports of agricultural products would play a pivotal role in achieving this goal.
In order to provide an impetus to agricultural exports, the Government has come out with a comprehensive “Agriculture Export Policy” aimed at doubling the agricultural exports and integrating Indian farmers and agricultural products with the global value chains.
The Agriculture Export Policy has the vision to “Harness export potential of Indian agriculture, through suitable policy instruments, to make India global power in agriculture and raise farmers’ income.”
The objective is to diversify our export basket, destinations and boost high value and value added agricultural exports including focus on perishables, to promote novel, indigenous, organic, ethnic, traditional and non-traditional Agri products exports, to provide an institutional mechanism for pursuing market access and tackling barriers and deal with sanitary and phytosanitary issues.
The objective of the policy will be strive to double India’s share in world agri exports by integrating with global value chain at the earliest and enable 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 category includes Policy measures, Infrastructure and logistics support, Holistic approach to boost exports and Greater involvement of State Governments in agri exports.
Operational category will Focus on Clusters, Promoting value added exports, Marketing and promotion of “Brand India”, Attract private investments into production and processing, Establishment of strong quality regimen and Research & Development.
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