Cabinet approves agriculture export policy, aims to double exports to $60 bn by 2022

Agricultural exports are currently estimated at USD 30 billion.

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet has approved the Agriculture Export Policy, 2018 aiming to double agricultural exports to USD 60 billion by 2022.

The government underlined that one of the prime objective of the Agriculture Export Policy is to double agricultural exports from present USD 30 billion to USD 60 billion by 2022 and reach USD 100 billion in the next few years thereafter, with a stable trade policy regime.

“Exports of agricultural products would play a pivotal role in achieving this goal. In order to provide an impetus to agricultural exports, the Government has come out with a comprehensive “Agriculture Export Policy” aimed at doubling the agricultural exports and integrating Indian farmers and agricultural products with the global value chains,” an official release said.

Among major objectives, the government said that the policy is to diversify export basket, destinations and boost high value and value added agricultural exports; enable farmers to get benefit of export opportunities in overseas market; promote novel, indigenous, organic, ethnic, traditional and non-traditional Agri products exports; provide an institutional mechanism for pursuing market access, tackling barriers and deal with sanitary and phyto-sanitary issues.

The Cabinet has also approved the proposal for establishment of Monitoring Framework at Centre with Commerce as the nodal Department with representation from various line Ministries/Departments and Agencies and representatives of concerned State Governments, to oversee the implementation of Agriculture Export Policy.