The recently appointed Commerce and Industry Minister, Suresh Prabhu revealed that the ministry is on the verge of drafting a policy framework for facilitating access to global markets for the Indian agriculture produce. He further informed that his ministry will be working closely to further enhance the global supply chain for the agriculture sector.
The aforementioned information was revealed by the minister while he was addressing an agri summit. the minister said that multi-laterally there is also need to work on removing trade restrictions with an aim to boost India’s agri exports. “If they (farmers) produce something, they (should) get an access to global market and get better prices for that, and for that we will put in place a good policy framework very soon,” Prabhu said.
“We have right to have access to global markets for our farm produce by removing all trade restrictive practices,” the minister added. The Narendra Modi-led government aims to double farmers’ income by 2022. Crop diversification, focus on allied sectors and food processing and tapping global markets are among the steps the government is taking to meet the target.
In 2016-17, export of agri products, such as cereals, processed fruit and vegetables, processed foods, and animal products, was around USD 16.27 billion, according to the data by Apeda. Prabhu said the ministry will work on developing the global supply chain for the agri sector.
“We will start working on that. This is on our agenda and my ministry will make sure that we will achieve this goal to ensure that India’s agriculture is also able to feed global economy.”
“As a minister, it’s my job to ensure that we develop this global supply chain and ensure farmers get better prices.” He also said that the ministry will work on developing agri parks in India.