India’s agriculture exports crossed USD 50 billion for the year 2021-22. Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), has exported agricultural and processed food products to the tune of USD 25.6 billion, which is 51 per cent of India’s total agriculture exports of USD 50 billion.

 

'We have also created a products matrix for 50 agricultural products which have good scope for expanding our exports portfolios,' said Dr M Angamuthu, Chairman, APEDA.

 

APEDA’s major exporting destinations are Bangladesh, UAE, Vietnam, USA, Nepal, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Iran and Egypt. The significant rise in agri-exports is likely to enhance farmers’ income by giving thrust on boosting exports of agricultural and processed food products.

 

The rise in the export of agricultural and processed food products has been largely due to the various initiatives by APEDA such as organizing B2B exhibitions in different countries and exploring new potential markets through product-specific and general marketing campaigns with the active involvement of Indian Embassies. The government organized more than 300 outreach programmes in collaboration with state governments for enhancing the exports of agricultural produce.

 

The APEDA has also surpassed its own export target of USD 23.7 billion for the financial year 2021-22 by registering shipments of USD 25.6 billion.

 

As per the provisional figures released by DGCI&S, the agricultural exports have grown by 19.92 per cent from 2021-to 22 to touch USD 50.21 billion. The growth rate is remarkable as it is over and above the growth of 17.66 per cent at USD 41.87 billion achieved in 2020-21 and has been achieved in spite of unprecedented logistical challenges in the form of high freight rates, container shortages, etc.

 

For boosting exports, APEDA compiles and disseminates various international trade analytical information, market access information amongst exporters and addresses trade enquiries.

 

As part of the PM Gati Shakti – National Master Plan, APEDA is collaborating with various ministries including railways and roadways for enhancing connectivity through faster transportation of agricultural products, as they are perishable in nature so it requires immediate and fast delivery to their destination from the production points. “The government has been focussing on boosting exports from Purvanchal, Himalayan, NER states, J&K and Ladakh,” Dr Angamuthu, said.

 

The cereal sector in APEDA exports contributes more than 52 per cent share in 2021-22. Livestock products and other processed foods contribute 17 and 15 per cent to APEDA export respectively in 2021-22.

 

Compared to total agricultural exports, APEDA’s exports registered 16 per cent growth when they touched USD 25.6 billion in 2021-22 from USD 22.03 billion in 2020-21. The highest growth rate recorded by APEDA products was more than 30 per cent in 2021-22 corresponding to the previous year

 

According to the DGCI&S data, the export of rice was the top forex earner at USD 9654 million during 2021-22, growing 9.35 per cent from the previous year when it touched USD 8829 million.

 

The export of wheat touched an all-time high at USD 2118 million in 2021-22, growing 273 per cent from 2020-21 when it touched USD 567 million, while other cereals registered a growth of 53 per cent by fetching USD 1083 million in 2021-22 in comparison to the previous financial year when it touched USD 705 million. Export of pulses reported a growth of 34 per cent touching USD 358 million in 2021-22 from USD 265 million in 2020-21.

 

Dairy products grew over 96 per cent standing at USD 634 million in 2021-22 from USD 323 million in 2020-21, while buffalo meat registered a growth of just 4 per cent as export of bovine meat increased from USD 3171 million in 2020-21 to USD 3303 million in 2021-22.

 

Export of poultry products rose to USD 71 million in 2021-22 from USD 58 million in the previous year and sheep/goat meat export is up by 34 per cent to USD 60 million in 2021-22 from USD 44 million in the previous year.

 

Fruits and vegetables exports were up by 12 per cent to touch USD 1676 million in 2021-22 against USD 1492 million in 2020-21, while processed fruits and vegetable exports were up by 7 per cent to reach USD 1202 million in 2021-22 against USD 1120 million in the previous year.

 

Exports of other processed food items grew by 34 per cent during 2021-22 to touch USD 1164 million against USD 866 million in 2020-21. The cashew exports also grew by 7 per cent to USD 452 million in 2021-22 from USD 420 million in the previous year. Floriculture products reported a rise of 33 per cent when it touched USD 103 million in 2021-22 from USD 77 million in 2020-21.

 

The Centre has also taken several initiatives to promote geographical indications (GI) registered with agricultural and processed food products in India by organizing virtual Buyer Seller Meets on agricultural and food products with the major importing countries across the world.

 

In order to ensure seamless quality certification of products to be exported, the government has recognized 220 labs across India to provide services of testing to a wide range of products to exporters.

 

Centre, through APEDA also assists in the up-gradation and strengthening of recognized laboratories for export testing and residue monitoring plans. APEDA also provides assistance under the financial assistance schemes of infrastructure development, quality improvement and market development for boosting the export of agricultural products.

 

The participation of exporters in the International Trade Fairs was organized, which provides a platform for the exporters to market their food products in the global marketplace. National events like AAHAR, Organic World Congress, BioFach India etc. were organized to promote agri-exports.

 

Government, through the aegis of APEDA also initiates the registration of pack-houses for horticulture products for meeting the quality requirements of the international market. Registration of export units for peanut shelling, grading and processing units, for instance, is to ensure quality adherence for the EU and non-EU countries.

 

APEDA also carries out registration of meat processing plants and abattoirs for ensuring compliance with global food safety and quality requirements. Another key initiative includes the development and implementation of traceability systems that ensure the food safety and quality compliances of the importing countries.

The negotiations between National Plant Protection Organisations of India and Canada on market access for Indian Banana and Baby corn resulted in Canadian market access for these commodities. In a meeting held between Shri Manoj Ahuja, Secretary (DA&FW) and H.E. Cameron MacKay Canadian High Commissioner on 07.04.22, Canada informed that export of fresh baby corn from India to Canada may begin from April 2022 after updation of directive D-95-28: Plant Protection Import and Domestic Movement Requirements for Corn and the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS). Further, based on the technical information provided for fresh banana by India, Canada has approved, banana for entry into Canada with immediate effect.

 

This decision of the Government of Canada would immensely benefit the Indian farmers growing these crops and would also enhance India’s export earnings.

Export of major agriculture and processed products, broadly divided under 27 categories by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), have jumped 16 per cent to $25.6 billion during the last fiscal, from $22.03 billion in 2020-21. The target was $23.7 billion.

 

The country’s agricultural exports, including marine products and spices, surged nearly 20 per cent to touch $50.21 billion during 2021-22, in which APEDA-promoted products have an over 50 per cent share.

 

Wheat, dairy products, guar gum, cashewnut, maize, pulses, meat (other than buffalo meat) and floriculture were the top performers, which registered over 32 per cent growth, which is double the growth rate of all APEDA products. Wheat exports made a near four-fold increase to $2.12 billion from $0.57 billion. Other cereals, including maize (rice, wheat excluded), registered a 53 per cent surge to $1.08 billion in 2021-22, compared with $0.71 billion in the previous year.

 

In the APEDA basket, rice (both basmati and non-basmati) remained the top forex earner at $9.65 billion, against $8.83 billion. However, this was less than 10 per cent growth. Industry sources said while non-Basmati exports were impressive, Basmati dragged overall growth in the rice sector. APEDA is yet to compile Basmati data separately.

 

Basmati rice exports declined 14.4 per cent to $3.09 billion, whereas non-Basmati exports went up by 35.2 per cent to $5.55 billion during April-February of 2021-22, as against the year-ago period.

 

APEDA’s major exporting destinations last year were Bangladesh, the UAE, Vietnam, the US, Nepal, Malaysia, Saudi Arab, Indonesia, Iran and Egypt.

 

'The significant rise in agri-exports is seen as a testimony to the government’s commitment to enhance farmers’ income by giving a thrust to export of agricultural and processed food products,' said M Angamuthu, chairman, APEDA.

 

Pulses is one area where the government has not restricted export despite having to depend on imports to meet the demand. As a result exporters have developed their markets with consistent improvement in value addition. Export of pulses grew to $358 million in 2021-22, up 34 per cent from $265 million in the year before.

 

Dairy products grew by more than 96 per cent to $634 million from $323 million, while buffalo meat exports increased just 4 per cent to $3.3 billion from $3.17 billion. Export of poultry products rose 22 per cent to $71 million from $58 million, and that of sheep and goat meat by 34 per cent to $60 million from $44 million.

 

Fruit and vegetable exports grew by 12 per cent to touch $1.68 billionfrom $1.49 billion, while processed fruit and vegetable exports grew 7 per cent to touch $1.2 billion from $1.12 billion. Exports of other processed food items grew by 34 per cent to $1.16 billion from $0.87 billion, cashew nut by 7 per cent to $452 million from $420 million, floriculture products by 33 per cent to $103 million from $77 million.

 

APEDA organised more than 300 outreach programmes in collaboration with State governments to enhance exports of agricultural produce, Angamuthu said, adding 'we focus on boosting exports from the Purvanchal and Himalayan regions, as well as the NE States.'

Centre creates matrix for 50 agricultural products with good export potential to help boost agri exports

 

As part of the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, APEDA collaborates with various ministries to ensure seamless logistics

 

Government focuses on boosting agri exports from Purvanchal, Himalayan region, North Eastern States, J&K and Ladakh

 

India’s agri exports crossed USD 50 billion for the year 2021-22, notwithstanding logistical challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic in the form of high freight rates, container shortages, etc. Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), which works under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has scripted a new history by exporting agricultural and processed food products to the tune of USD 25.6 billion, which is 51 per cent of the India’s total agriculture exports of USD 50 billion.

 

Besides, the APEDA has also surpassed its own export target of USD 23.7 billion for the financial year 2021-22 by registering shipment of USD 25.6 billion.

 

As per the provisional figures released by DGCI&S, the agricultural exports have grown by 19.92 per cent during 2021-22 to touch USD 50.21 billion. The growth rate is remarkable as it is over and above the growth of 17.66 per cent at USD 41.87 billion achieved in 2020-21 and has been achieved in spite of unprecedented logistical challenges in the form of high freight rates, container shortages, etc. The export of APEDA schedule products export may be seen from the Graph-1.  It depicts the comparative export of APEDA products for the current year, 2021-22 and previous year 2020-21.  Cereal sector in APEDA exports contributes more than 52 per cent share in 2021-22. Livestock products and other processed foods contributes 17 and 15 per cent in APEDA export respectively in 2021-22.

 

The historic achievement over past two years will go a long way in realising the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of enhancing farmers’ income.

 

Compared to total agricultural export, APEDA’s exports registered 16 per cent growth when it touched USD 25.6 billion in 2021-22 from USD 22.03 billion in 2020-21.  The highest growth rate recorded by APEDA products (more than 30 per cent) in 2021-22 corresponding to previous year may be seen from Graph-2.

 

According to the DGCI&S data, export of rice was the top forex earner at USD 9654 million during 2021-22, growing 9.35 per cent from previous year when it touched USD 8829 million.

 

The export of wheat touched an all time high at USD 2118 million in 2021-22, growing 273 per cent from 2020-21 when it touched USD 567 million, while other cereals registered a growth of 53 per cent by fetching USD 1083 million in 2021-22 in compare to the previous financial year when it touched USD 705 million.

 

Export of pulses reported a growth of 34 per cent touching USD 358 million in 2021-22 from USD 265 million in 2020-21.

 

Dairy products grew over by 96 per cent standing at USD 634 million in 2021-22 from USD 323 million in 2020-21, while buffalo meat registered a growth of just 4 per cent as export of bovine meat increased from USD 3171 million in 2020-21 to USD 3303 million in 2021-22.

 

Export of poultry products rose to USD 71 million in 2021-22 from USD 58 million in the previous year and sheep/goat meat export is up by 34 per cent at USD 60 million in 2021-22 from USD 44 million in the previous year.

 

Fruits and vegetables exports were up by 12 per cent to touch USD 1676 million in 2021-22 against USD 1492 million in 2020-21, while processed fruits and vegetables exports were up by 7 per cent to reach USD 1202 million in 2021-22 against USD 1120 million in the previous year.

 

Exports of other processed food items grew by 34 per cent during 2021-22 to touch USD 1164 million against USD 866 million in 2020-21. The cashew exports also grew by 7 per cent to USD 452 million in 2021-22 from USD 420 million in the previous year. Floriculture products reported a rise of 33 per cent when it touched USD 103 million in 2021-22 from USD 77 million in 2020-21.

 

APEDA's major exporting destination as per 2021-22 data are Bangladesh, UAE, Vietnam, USA, Nepal, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Iran and Egypt.

 

The significant rise in agri-exports is seen as a testimony of the government’s commitment to enhance farmers’ income through giving thrust on boosting exports of agricultural and processed food products.

 

The rise in export of agricultural and processed food products has been largely due to the various initiatives taken by Centre through APEDA such as organizing B2B exhibitions in different countries, exploring new potential markets through product specific and general marketing campaigns by active involvement of Indian Embassies.

 

The government organized more than 300 outreach programmes in collaboration with state governments for enhancing the exports of agricultural produce.

 

“We have also created products matrix for 50 agricultural products which have good scope for expanding our exports portfolios,” said Dr M Angamuthu, Chairman, APEDA.

 

Centre has also taken several initiatives to promote geographical indications (GI) registered with agricultural and processed food products in India by organizing virtual Buyer Seller Meets on agricultural and food products with the major importing countries across the world.

 

In order to ensure seamless quality certification of products to be exported, government has recognized 220 labs across India to provide services of testing to a wide range of products to exporters.

 

Centre, through APEDA also assists in upgradation and strengthening of recognized laboratories for export testing and residue monitoring plans. APEDA also provides assistance under the financial assistance schemes of infrastructure development, quality improvement and market development for boosting export of agricultural products.

 

The participation of exporters in the International Trade Fairs was organized, which provides a platform to the exporters to market their food products in the global marketplace. National events like AAHAR, Organic World Congress, BioFach India etc. were organized to promote agri-exports.

 

Government, through the aegis of APEDA also initiates registration of pack-houses for horticulture products for meeting the quality requirements of the international market. Registration of export units for peanut shelling, grading and processing units, for instance, is to ensure quality adherence for the EU and non-EU countries.

 

APEDA also carries out registration of meat processing plants and abattoirs for ensuring compliance with global food safety and quality requirements. Another key initiative includes development and implementation of traceability systems which ensure the food safety and quality compliances of the importing countries.

 

For boosting exports, APEDA compiles and disseminates various international trade analytical information, market access information amongst exporters and address trade enquiries.

 

As part of the PM Gati Shakti - National Master Plan, APEDA is collaborating with various ministries including railways and roadways for enhancing connectivity through faster transportation of agricultural products, as they are perishable in nature so it requires immediate and fast delivery to its destination from the production points.

 

“The government has been focussing on boosting exports from Purvanchal, Himalayan, NER states, J&K and Ladakh,” Dr Angamuthu, said.

 

In line with the government’s Digital India policy, APEDA has implemented several new digital technology-based initiatives which have played a key role in enabling agricultural exports worth of $ 25 billion under the its basket in 2021-22.

 

APEDA has adopted multiple world class technology and software in IT division such as Blockchain technology implemented in hortinet traceability, Farmer Connect Portal, Geographical Indications (GI) Promotion Portal, Mobile App, iTrack System, TraceNet, Organic Promotional Portal, Agriexchange App, and Cloud Migration etc.

 

Given that demand of natural products is growing and consumers demand greater quantities of foods, cosmetics and medicines that contain natural ingredients, the Centre is in process to formulate a strategy for promotion of export of natural farming products in consultation with Ministry of Agriculture to develop the standards for production along with certification system.

 

A Farmer Connect Portal has also been set up on APEDA’s website for providing a platform for Farmer Producers Organisations (FPOs) or Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs), Cooperatives and women entrepreneurs to interact with exporters. Around 3,295 FPOs and FPCs and 3,315 exporters have been registered in the portal so far.  More than 24 lakh organic farmers registered with APEDA. India is the leading producers of organic products in the world.

Now the time has come for India to move towards natural farming. If India fulfils the demand for organic food all over the world, then India's economy will be transformed,' said Shah while addressing the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the National Cooperative Dairy Federation of India in Gandhinagar.

 

He further said that the Dairy sector can play a big role in achieving India's ambitions in the field of Organic Farming.

 

The National Cooperative Dairy Federation of India (NCDFI), based in Anand district of Gujarat, is the apex organization for the cooperative dairy sector.

 

Its members include federal dairy cooperatives of states and union territories. The primary objective of NCDFI is to facilitate the working of dairy cooperatives through coordination, networking and advocacy.

 

'At present organic farming is taken up in an area of 38.09 lakh hectares in the country including 6.19 lakh hectares under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), 1.23 lakh hectares under Namami Gange Programme, 4.09 lakh hectares under BPKP (Natural Farming), and 26.57 lakh hectares under National Program for Organic Production (NPOP),' according to Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

 

The government has been promoting organic/natural farming through dedicated schemes namely Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development in North East Region (MOVCDNER).

For the first time in history Assam Jackfruits will be exported to Dubai from the state. District Deputy Commissioner Anbamuthan MP flag off the consignment on Friday evening from Bilasipara town.

 

The consignment exported today has 1.5 tonnes of tender Jackfruit and 0.5 tonnes green chillies, which will be distributed by Lulu Group international through its chain of more than 200 supermarkets and hyper markets throughout Gulf countries. The whole process is coordinated by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority.

 

Anbamuthan MP said, "A special day for the agro-economics sector of Dhubri district as well as for the entire Assam'.

 

Abul Kalam Azad, President of the FPO describing the whole process said, 'We are waiting for this day for years. We are trying to export green Chilli and tender Jackfruit from last six months. District administration helped us all the time. We are grateful to them.'

 

 

The farmer producer organization (FPO) namely Green Chilli Producer Organization Cooperative Society Ltd which has 560 shareholder farmer from Bilasipara and Nayer Alga Development Block area has produced the exported items, which will continue on weekly basis.

 

Egypt’s public procurement agency General Authority of Supplies and Commodities (GASC) has expressed interest to import essential commodities such as wheat and sugar from India. 

 

As a first step, it has requested that firms interested in supplying wheat to Egypt register with it through any local agent or representative, the Indian embassy in Cairo has said. 

 

Indian firms will have to complete necessary procedures to be eligible to enter into a supply contract with GASC, it said. 

 

Cairo team arriving on April 10

 

According to Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Chairman M Angamuthu, the details have been shared with active wheat exporters 'to initiate the process of getting registration with GASC at the earliest'. 

 

Angamuthu told BusinessLine that a trade delegation from Egypt will arrive in India on April 10 to get first-hand knowledge of the country’s phytosanitary regime, wheat production systems, grading, monitoring and control.

 

Besides, the team will learn about the storage systems, private and official inspection procedures and fumigation facilities. The delegation will be in the country until April 15 and tour Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, he said. 

 

Change in import norms

Meanwhile, in what is being interpreted as a change in food import regulations, Cairo has said shipments into Egypt will have to comply with the requirements of the National Food Safety Authority (NFSA). Earlier, the General Organization for Export and Import Control was supervising imports. 

 

NFSA has introduced a food consignment certification programme requiring imports to be verified for meeting the stipulations of Egyptian standard requirements by a conformity assessment body such as Intertek. One of the advantages of this change is that the inspections at the destination will be reduced. 

 

Exporters said Egypt could relax quality norms to import Indian wheat. 'No official statement has been made but it is likely that the norms for Ergot (infection and toxin produced a fungus) and foreign matter in the foodgrain could be lowered,' said an exporter.

 

Delhi-based exporter Rajesh Paharia Jain said 'Egypt has no alternative but to relax the norms to get the required quantity of wheat. Till now, Egypt had been buying wheat from Russia and Ukraine.' 

 

Russia, Ukraine share

The current Russia-Ukraine conflict has disrupted supplies to Cairo, which imports over 12 million tonnes (mt) over the last few years. 

 

According to the US Department of Agriculture, Egypt has imported 62.6 mt of wheat over the last five year with Russia (59.7 per cent) and Ukraine (22.3 per cent) making up a combined 82 per cent. 

 

Cairo buys wheat from Russia and Ukraine as prices are competitive, freight costs are low and the time taken for the consignment to reach Egyptian ports compared to other exporting nations is less. Last year, Russia and Ukraine made up 77 per cent of Egypt’s total wheat imports with the private sector importing 60 per cent and the government the rest. 

 

Global prices

India has emerged as the best option in view of its competitive prices. Indian wheat prices are quoted at around $350 a tonne free-on-board (f.o.b). In comparison, the US and Europe are quoting above $410 a tonne and Argentina $396 a tonne f.o.b.

 

Currently, benchmark wheat futures on the Chicago Board of Trade are ruling at $10.35 a bushel ($380.30 a tonne). Prices have gained 10 per cent after Russian troops entered Ukraine on February 24. They have also surged on poor condition of the US crop.

 

Freight charges from India are lower compared to these destinations. On the other hand, India is trying to establish itself in the global wheat market and targeting to export at least one mt of the grain every month. 

 

Its efforts come on the heels of a record 111.32 mt wheat production this year and the Food Corporation of India holding about 20 mt of wheat as stocks against the mandatory norm of 7.6 mt of wheat, including 3 mt of strategic reserves. 

 

Last fiscal, India is estimated to have exported a record 7.5 mt of wheat. The record wheat exports has helped domestic prices rule higher than the minimum support price (MSP) of  Rs2,015 a quintal. Currently, prices in Punjab and Haryana are at par with the MSP, but they are ruling higher at around  Rs2,200 in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh and about Rs2,050 in Uttar Pradesh. 

 

Jordan's state grain buyer has issued an international tender to buy 120,000 tonnes of milling wheat which can be sourced from optional origins, European traders said on Thursday.

 

The deadline for submission of price offers in the tender is said to be April 13.

 

Shipment in new tender is sought in a series of possible combinations in 60,000 tonne consignments.

 

Possible shipment combinations are between May 16-31, June 16-30, July 1-15 and July 16-31.

 

A new announcement had been expected after Jordan made no purchase in its previous tender for 120,000 tonnes of wheat on Wednesday. GRA/TEND

 

Jordan is among grain importers hit by surging prices after the war in Ukraine disrupted shipments from Ukraine and Russia, traditionally among the Middle Eastern country’s main cereals suppliers, traders say.

India's agricultural products export touched a new milestone by crossing $ 50 billion for the financial year FY22. This would be the highest level ever achieved for agriculture exports.

 

The provisional data of DGCI&S showed that the agricultural exports have grown by 19.92% during 2021-22 to touch $ 50.21 billion. The growth rate is remarkable as it is over and above the growth of 17.66%, at $41.87 billion, achieved in 2020-21 and has been achieved in spite of unprecedented logistical challenges in the form of high freight rates, container shortages, etc. This achievement over the past two years will go a long way in realizing the Prime Minister’s vision of improving farmers’ income.

 

As per the data, the highest ever exports have been achieved for staples like rice (% 9.65 billion), wheat ($ 2.19 billion), sugar ($ 4.6 billion), and other cereals ($ 1.08 billion). Wheat has recorded an unprecedented growth of more than 273%, jumping nearly four-fold from $ 568 million in 2020-21 to touch close to $ 2119 million in 2021-22. An increase in exports of these products has benefitted farmers in states like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, etc. India has captured nearly 50% of the world's market for rice.

 

Meanwhile, exports of marine products also reached the highest ever at $ 7.71 billion, benefitting farmers in the coastal states of West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. Spices exports have touched $ 4 billion for the second year in a row. Despite facing tremendous supply-side issues, coffee exports have crossed USD 1 billion for the first time, which has improved realizations for coffee growers in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

 

In a statement, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry said, 'this achievement is the result of sustained efforts on the part of the Department of Commerce and its various export promotion agencies like APEDA, MPEDA, and various commodity boards. The Department has made special efforts to engage State Governments and district administrations in promoting agriculture exports.'

 

To ensure that the farmers benefit from exports, the Department of Commerce has made special efforts to provide export market linkage directly to farmers and FPOs. A Farmer Connect Portal has been set up for providing a platform for farmers, FPOs/FPCs, and cooperatives to interact with exporters.

 

'This approach has resulted in agriculture exports taking place from hitherto unexplored areas. Exports have taken place from clusters like Varanasi (fresh vegetables, mangoes), Ananthpur (banana), Nagpur (orange), Lucknow (mango), Theni (banana), Solapur (pomegranate), Krishna & Chittoor (mango), etc. Initiatives like ‘Happy Banana’ train, an exclusive train with reefer containers to transport bananas from Anantapur to JNPT, Mumbai have been taken to boost exports from unconventional areas,' the ministry said.

 

Further, the ministry said, 'Department of Commerce is continuing efforts to promote agriculture export so that the momentum gained over the past two years is sustained and agriculture exports touch new highs over the coming years.'

 

As per the ministry, the Covid-19 outbreak in the first quarter led to rising in the demand for staples, which provided an opportunity for increasing agriculture exports. Due to the institutional framework, already in place at State and district levels, and special efforts made to overcome the pandemic-induced bottlenecks, India was able to rise to the occasion and emerge as a reliable supplier of food. Even during the current crisis due to the Russia–Ukraine war, the world is looking at India for supplies of wheat and other food grains.

The Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal today said Education will act as a bridge between India and Australia. Education and Commerce, engaging with Technology, will empower us towards Action, he said.

 

'It has always been an important element of our partnership. In the post-Covid world, we must explore possibilities of hybrid programmes,' said Shri Goyal, in his address during an Interaction with Students of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney.

 

Terming the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (IndAus ECTA) as a 'natural partnership', Shri Goyal said India is looking at tripling steel production capacity and energy efficiency.

 

'A lot of the good work that researchers come up with does not get that kind of scale, that kind of opportunity to operationalize,' said Shri Goyal. 'With that scale we can make medical care more affordable, with that scale we can make technology come to serve larger numbers of people, manufactured at scale, using the talent that we have in both countries, possibly the talent in Australia coming up with game changing research, the talent in India helping it to manufacture that at scale, use that at scale, serving large sections of society in the world and from there taking it to the rest of the world. And I do believe that such partnerships are important for the world' he added.

 

Inviting the University of NSW to expand its footprint in India, Shri Goyal said the India-Australia partnership can truly transform the lives of our people.

 

Later addressing the Business Leaders Meeting, organised by Business Council of Australia, Shri Goyal said business will be the framework on which all other engagements between the two sides will prosper.

 

'You can actually take your technologies, take the wonderful innovations that you are generating out your laboratories, research institutions or universities to a large market like India, use the talent and skills that Indians offer, possibly to Make in India for the large Indian population and for the world, - Make in India for the World,' he said.

 

IndAus ECTA will help us double our bilateral trade in the next 5-6 years and by 2030 we must aspire for a $100 billion bilateral trade target, he said.

 

'I do agree that if you have to reach a 100 billion, we will have to drill it down to more specifics. In those specifics also comes in the soft power, eg we will have to look at much deeper engagements in our Science & Technology, in our research, in our education, we will have to align standards. So we will have to get our standards bodies to look at working with each other, so that products can seek seamless access in other’s markets,' said Shri Goyal, while interacting with the host of the show.

 

Shri Goyal said India will set up the Invest India Office and in a few months time open a Trade Promotion Office in Australia in order to realise the potential of the IndAus ECTA.