In the series Sansad TV Perspective, we bring you an analysis of the discussion featured on the insightful programme ‘Perspective’ on Sansad TV, on various important topics affecting India and also the world. This analysis will help you immensely for the IAS exam, especially the mains exam, where a well-rounded understanding of topics is a prerequisite for writing answers that fetch good marks.
In this article, we feature the discussion on the topic: Agri Exports: Riding High
Anchor:– Teena Jha
Participants:
- S.K. Malhotra, Director, Knowledge Management in Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture
- Sudhanshu, Secretary, APEDA, Government of India
- Ashok Vishandaas, Former Chairman, CACP
- Ravi Gupta, Chairman, Export Committee, AISTA
India’s agri exports:
- The agricultural exports from India have crossed a record 50 billion dollars for the year 2021-22, the highest so far. This marks a growth rate of 19.92% compared to the previous year.
- India had achieved a growth rate of 17.66 per cent in 2020-21 and had clocked agri exports worth 41.87 billion in that year.
- The growth has been significant in marine products, plantation crops and staples like rice, wheat, sugar and cereals.
- Wheat has registered a growth rate of about 273%. Wheat accounted for $2119 billion in 2021-22.
- India has captured nearly 50% of the world’s rice market. Exports of rice were the top forex earners at $9.65 billion.
- Dairy products showed around a 96% growth rate.
- This growth coming amidst the logistical challenge posed by the COVID-19 pandemic makes it even more remarkable.
- The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) was able to export agricultural and processed food products of the value of around 25.6 billion dollars, which is 51% of India’s total agricultural exports.
Factors aiding this growth rate:
Favourable government policies:
- Agri Export Policy of 2018 and institutional set-up to promote the policy
- One Product One District Programme
- Necessary infrastructure has been created like logistics for transportation and cold storage centres.
- Production cluster development
- Identification of markets and consumption trends. Quality standards have been set to retain export standards. This results in increased trust in Indian agri exports.
Geographical potential of India:
- India has diverse climatic conditions. This makes India suitable for the cultivation of a diverse number of crops.
Other external reasons:
- The Russia-Ukraine conflict and its effect on international supply chain disruptions has helped create a market for Indian agri produce.
Significance:
- The record agri exports will help enhance farmers’ incomes in line with the government’s vision to double farmers’ incomes.
- The exports of products like rice and wheat will help rationalize the buffer storage capacity of India when it comes to foodgrains.
- The emergence of India as an agri export powerhouse augurs well for India’s image in the global arena.
- India’s exports are helping contain food inflation in many countries.
Recommendations to make India a food export powerhouse:
- Further improve the infrastructure to ensure a supportive ecosystem for agri exports. There is a need to ensure a robust logistics chain.
- Strengthen the Geographical Indicator regime for agri products.
Read more summaries of Perspective in the link.
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