Govt looking at mechanism to boost agricultural exports

Institutional process would fast-track decision making, says official

IN order to boost farm exports, the Centre is considering creating an institutional mechanism to address all inter-ministerial issues related to market access and export facilitation for agri-products.

The commerce ministry, which has mooted the idea, is in discussions with concerned ministries including food, agriculture, health, revenue and consumer affairs. India is trying to get new markets for the export of various commodities like mangoes and grapes. But the proposals are pending for want of appropriate documents prescribed by the importing nations. “Normally, the process of seeking market access in other countries is a very long drawn out process. Getting market access is the first crucial step towards promoting exports. So, an institutional mechanism is necessary as at present we do not have a coherent mechanism to respond to notices of the importing countries,” a government official said.

There is a need to strengthen the entire back-end system as well as interministerial coordination to respond quickly to such notices, the official added. The issues related to phytosanitary certification system, pest risk analysis, residue levels in processed food, agriculture, spices, and marine products as well as quality standards are being handled by different ministries.

“Creation of an institutional mechanism would facilitate, strengthen and fast-track the decision making process,” the official noted.

At present, India is targeting markets in Australia, South Africa and South Korea for mangoes. It is also looking at the US, Japan and Vietnam for grapes, while China for rice, fruits and vegetables. The country's agri-exports fell to R95,744 crore during April-February of 2015-16 fiscal fromR1,20,316croreintheyear-ago period, shows APEDA data. PTI