In a written reply in Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar highlighted that during 2019-20, the value of India’s agri-exports of principal agri commodities group was Rs 2,52,297 crore which was 1.2 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at current prices.

Despite COVID-19 pandemic, there has been 22.8 per cent growth in agri exports at Rs 3,09,939 crore with a share of 1.6 per cent to GDP during 2020-21.

Schemes to boost supply chain

• The ministry of food processing industries (MoFPI) is implementing a Central Sector umbrella scheme ‘Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana’ (PMKSY) since 2016-17 to support creation of modern infrastructure projects, setting/upgrading the food manufacturing units, value chain development in perishables, backward and forward linkages, etc. 

• The ministry is implementing centrally ‘PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises’ (PMFME) scheme for providing financial, technical and business support for upgradation/setting up of 2 lakh micro food processing units in a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25 with an outlay of Rs 10,000 crore.

• The scheme adopts ‘One District One Product’ (ODOP) approach to reap the benefit of scale in terms of procurement of inputs, availing common services and marketing of products. 

Besides, under the aegis of Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Rs 1 lakh crore ‘Agri Infrastructure Fund’ has been provided for post-harvest infrastructure for farmers.

• Also, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) is being implemented to ensure forward and backward linkage through a cluster approach with the active participation of all stakeholders.

Other measures to boost exports

• Pro-active support of export promotion agencies including Export Inspection Council (EIC), Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and export facilitating measures like online issuance of certificates required for exports, aided growth of agricultural exports during the pandemic. 

• Under Transport and Marketing Assistance (TMA) for specified agriculture products scheme, the rates of assistance were increased for the exports effected on or after April 1, 2021.

• The ministry of civil aviation launched the Krishi UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagarik) scheme in August 2020 to assist farmers in transporting agricultural products on international and national routes to improve their value realisation.

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