Cabinet approves Agriculture Export Policy 2018

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, on December 6 approved the Agriculture Export Policy, 2018, which is a part of the Central Government’s broader plan to double farmers’ income by 2022. Additionally, the cabinet also approved a plan to set up a framework to implement the policy, involving the Ministry of Commerce and Industry as the nodal department. The initiative will include representation from various ministries and departments, along with representatives of concerned state governments. India’s agricultural and processed food export was estimated at around US$21.6 billion during April-October 2018.

The policy aims to double India’s agricultural exports and integrate Indian farmers and agricultural products with the global value chains with the following objectives:

• To double agricultural exports from the present +US$30 billion by 2022 and reach US$100 billion in the few years thereafter
• To diversify export basket, destinations and boost high value and value added agricultural exports, with focus on perishables
• To promote novel, indigenous, organic, ethnic, traditional and non-traditional agri products export, driving a vast ecosystem
• To provide an institutional mechanism for pursuing market access, tackling challenges around quality and phytosanitary issues
• To strive to double India’s share in world agricultural exports by integrating farmers with overseas markets and global value chain

For an effective implementation, the recommendations in the Agriculture Export Policy have been organised in broad two categories – Strategic and Operational. Strategic includes (i) Policy measures; (1ii) Infrastructure and logistics support; (iii) Holistic approach to boost exports; (iv) Greater involvement of State Governments in agri exports; (v) Focus on Clusters; (vi) Promoting value-added exports; and (vii) Marketing and promotion of “Brand India. Meanwhile, Operational will include (i) Attract private investments into production and processing; (ii) Establishment of strong quality regimen; (iii) Research & Development, among others.