Agricultural exports in India registered 8% decline this year (2023 – 24) and fell short of the ambitious target of $60 billion by 2022 (set by India’s Agricultural Export Policy, 2018).
Agriculture Export Policy (AEP) 2018
- It is framed with a focus on agriculture export oriented production, export promotion, better farmer realization and synchronization within policies and programs of Government of India.
- Objective: To Increase Farmer income through value addition and minimize losses across value chain.
Targets and aims of India’s Agricultural Export Policy.
- Double agricultural exports to over US$ 60 Billion by 2022.
- Diversify the export basket, destinations, and boost high value and value-added agricultural exports.
- Promote novel, indigenous, organic, ethnic, traditional and non-traditional agricultural product exports.
- Strive to double India’s share in world agriculture exports by integrating with global value chains.
- Enable farmers to benefit from export opportunities in overseas markets.
- Provide an institutional mechanism for pursuing market access, tackling barriers and dealing with sanitary and phytosanitary issues.
Steps taken for promoting agricultural exports in India,
- Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES):
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- By Ministry of Commerce
- Assists Central and State Government agencies in creating appropriate infrastructure for export growth
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- Market Access Initiatives (MAI) Scheme:
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- By Ministry of Commerce
- An Export Promotion Scheme to act as a catalyst for promoting India’s exports on a sustained basis
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- Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA):
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- Statutory organization under Department of Commerce
- Mandate to promote export of agricultural products, including millets, from India
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- State-specific Action Plans:
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- Prepared by some states and State Level Monitoring Committees (SLMCs)
- Nodal Agencies for agricultural exports and Cluster Level Committees formed in several states
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- Farmer Connect Portals by APEDA:
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- Platform for farmers, Farmer-Producer Organizations (FPOs), and cooperatives to interact with exporters
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- Transport and Marketing Assistance Scheme:
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- Central sector scheme
- Aims to provide assistance for the international component of freight and marketing of agricultural produce
- Helps mitigate the disadvantage of higher transportation costs
