In a move to increase the country’s share in global agri trade and double the farmers’ income by 2022, the Union Cabinet on Thursday approved a policy to boost exports of agriculture commodities such as tea, coffee and rice. The agriculture export policy would focus on all aspects of agricultural exports including modernising infrastructure, standardisation of products, streamlining regulations, curtailing knee-jerk decisions, and focusing on research and development activities. Agricultural products constitute over 10 per cent of the country’s total merchandise exports.
The main commodities exported by India include tea, coffee, rice, cereals, tobacco, spices, cashew, oil meals, fruits and vegetables, marine products, meat, dairy and poultry products. Exports of value-added items are significantly low.
“The Government will aim at a stable export policy for agricultural products. There will be an assurance that processed agri items and organic products will not be brought under the ambit of any kind of export restrictions such as imposition of minimum import price, export duty, export bans and quota restrictions,” sources said.
The states would be urged to reform their APMC (Agriculture Produce Market Committee) Acts and remove mandi taxes applicable on export-oriented goods.
On the infrastructure front, the government would identify ports that are handling agri exports and perishable berths, agri jetties, railways wagons would be provided. Round-the-clock single window clearance would be extended for perishable exports and imports at Mumbai, Delhi and Kochi airports.
As part of the policy, the government is likely to undertake a detailed analysis to identify focus products based on five parameters — global trade, five-year impact potential, India’s current competitiveness, scope for value addition and future market potential.
To promote value added products, the government would take certain steps including promotion of R&D and marketing of biscuits and confectionary, dehydrated onion, frozen vegetables, medicinal plants and essential oils.
The policy also aims at doubling agricultural shipments to over USD 60 billion by 2022.
Source :- Dailypioneer.com