Agriculture Export Touch a Historic High of USD 50 Billion

Agricultural export from India UPSC: Relevance

• GS 3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.

कृषि निर्यात 50 अरब अमेरिकी डॉलर के ऐतिहासिक उच्च स्तर को छुआ 

Agriculture export: Context

• Recently, Ministry of Commerce & Industry has informed that exports of agricultural products (including marine and plantation products) for the year 2021-22 have crossed USD 50 billion, highest level ever achieved for agriculture exports.

Highest ever agriculture export: Key points

• The agricultural exports have grown by 19.92% during 2021-22 to touch $50.21 billion.
• The growth rate is remarkable due to two reasons:
  • It is over and above the growth of 17.66%, at $41.87 billion, achieved in 2020-21.
  • It has been achieved in spite of unprecedented logistical challenges in the form of high freight rates, container shortages etc.
• Highest ever exports have been achieved for staples like rice, wheat, sugar and other cereals.
• Wheat, particularly, has recorded an unprecedented growth of more than 273%.
• Increase in exports of these products has benefitted farmers in states like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra etc.
• India has captured nearly 50% of the world market for rice.
• Export of marine products, at USD 7.71 billion, is also the highest ever, benefitting farmers in the coastal states of West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Agriculture export: Government steps

• Department of Commerce has made special efforts to provide export market linkage directly to farmers and FPOs to ensure that the farmers benefit from exports.
• A Farmer Connect Portal has been set up for providing a platform for farmers, FPOs/FPCs, cooperatives to interact with exporters.
• Initiatives like ‘Happy Banana’ train, an exclusive train with reefer containers to transport bananas from Anantapur to JNPT, Mumbai have been taken to boost exports from unconventional areas.
• Export Promotion Schemes of Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Tobacco Board, Tea Board, Coffee Board, Rubber Board and Spices Board to boost the exports of agricultural produce.
• Agriculture Export Policy, 2018 was launched to double the exports from present $ 30 bn to $ 60 bn by 2022 and $ 100 bn thereafter, and integrate the farmers with global chains.

• • It can also help achieve the target to double the farmers income by 2022.
• Transport and Marketing Assistance for Specified Agriculture Products scheme for providing assistance for the international component of freight, to mitigate the freight disadvantage for the export of agriculture products, and marketing of agricultural products.
• The Government has several schemes to promote exports, including exports of agricultural products, viz. Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES), Market Access Initiatives (MAI) Scheme, Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS).
• The Government has allowed 100% FDI in the activities of agriculture through the automatic route.

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