Agro specific zones being mulled in farm export policy

NEW DELHI: Government will soon set up specific agriculture export zones well placed with ports and airports in the country aimed at boosting India’s agriculture products exports internationally, commerce and industry minister Suresh Prabhu said on Thursday.

The zones have been envisaged under the proposed Agriculture Export Policy.

“India produces nearly 600 MT of agri products including horticultural produce and its strategy is to increase farmer’s income by doubling it and reducing the wastage of food products to the bare minimum,” Prabhu said at the inauguration of BIOFACH INDIA, an event on organic industry organized by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority and Indo-German of Commerce here.


Alongside domestic strategy, the government is also focusing on exporting agricultural products to the world. Prabhu further said that there is need to cater to the niche market of organic food.

“It is a great advantage for organic producers to tap the market which is growing steadily in both domestic and export markets,” the commerce and industry ministry said in a statement quoting Prabhu.

India ranks first in terms of total number of organic producers and 9th in terms of world's organic agricultural land, it said.

In 2017-18, India produced around 1.70 MT of certified organic commodities which includes oilseeds, sugarcane, cereals and millets, cotton, pulses, medicinal plants, tea, fruits, spices, dried fruits, vegetables and coffee.

Total volume of organic exports during 2017-18 was 4.58 lakh MT.

India's organic products are exported to the US, EU, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, Israel, South Korea, Vietnam, New Zealand and Japan.