Agro & Food Processing - #SectorUpdates
Export-led agri-processing clusters present a big opportunity for Indian farmers. India has not been able to tap its potential in the global market, despite being the second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world. India’s agri-export share in the global market is 2.2 percent but has the potential to increase it to 10 percent by 2030. Raising exports of fruit/vegetables, processed cereals, dairy and apiculture products, poultry and fishery would add to farmers’ income. Support needs to be provided in areas of processing infrastructure, institutional backup, standardization, packaging, storage, logistics, and connectivity to ports and airports for increasing agricultural exports. Adhering to food safety standards and norms will enable agriculture exports to be carried through a WTO-compatible manner. The local ecosystem of start-ups, farmers, private players, and the Government can be nurtured through initiatives such as the ‘Innovation Mission’ to create efficient value chains to drive farm incomes.