Efforts to increase export of agricultural commodities: Govt

NEW DELHI: Government today said it is making all efforts to increase export of agricultural commodities, including wheat, rice, vegetables, meat and marine products, and India has emerged as the second highest exporter in this sector.

"The picture being painted that there has been a fall in export of agricultural products is incorrect. Processed agricultural products, vegetables and fruits are being exported as part of India's foreign trade policy," Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma told the Lok Sabha during Question Hour.

He emphasised that government is giving a 5 per cent export incentive to this sector. "It is under Open General Licence and there are no barriers," Sharma said.

The minister claimed that government is making all efforts to increase export of agricultural products and India is now the second highest exporter in this sector.

He, however, rued that 35 per cent of the agri-products still go waste which is a very high figure and hoped that with FDI coming in, the foreign players will open up more cold storages and processing industries.

Sharma said other products being exported include wheat, non-basmati rice (where India is the highest exporter in the world), bovine meat and marine products. He said all steps are being taken to get good remuneration for the farmers.

He admitted that there is shortage of edible oil and pulses and these are being imported. "About 8-9 million tonnes of edible oil and 3-4 million tonnes of pulses are being imported," he said.

India also imports palm oil which is sold at PDS shops at subsidised rate.