Government Officials Planning New Strategy to Boost Agricultural Exports and Processed Food Exports
Unlocking Global Opportunities: India's Agri-Meet Discusses Export Growth
New Delhi: Kicking off a productive weekend, the government's top brass gathered in the capital for a high-level conclave aimed at bolstering India's agri and processed food exports. Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal, addressing the event, expressed the government's dedication to removing logistical hurdles and expanding market access for these products.
Academia and research institutions took center stage in Barthwal's speech, as he strongly advocated for their involvement in multisectoral consultations. He believed that research and development would be the key to fostering innovation and sustainability in agri exports.
Agricultural production and productivity are at the forefront of India's current needs, and the ministry reaffirmed its commitment to delve deeper into the ideas and tactics discussed throughout the conference.
The meeting brought together heavyweights from the Union government, state administrations, policy experts, and industry leaders. In his opening remarks, Ministry of Food Processing Industries Secretary, Subrata Gupta, stressed the importance of infrastructure development and value addition for ensuring long-term, sustainable export growth.
Central to Gupta's speech was the need to develop infrastructure that aligns with international standards, create tariff plans, and foster more synergy among government departments, state administrations, and industry stakeholders. He also identified promising product sectors, including alcoholic beverages, nutraceuticals, and value-added products for processed foods exports.
The gathering, also attended by Special Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, Additional Secretary Varsha Joshi, and other senior officials, emphasized the need for a more collaborative approach among various stakeholders to bring new agricultural, processed food, and value-added products to previously untapped markets.
Representatives from Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and 10 other states participated in the conference, demonstrating a wide-ranging commitment to the cause. Leading industry players like LT Foods, Amul, Organic India, ITC, and several others, also attended the dialogue.
The event was divided into five parallel technical breakout sessions that focused on specific agri-trade commodities and the processed food sector, covering basmati and non-basmati rice, animal products, horticulture, processed foods, and organic products.
Behind the Scenes:The recent Chintan Shivir organized by APEDA (Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) laid out several key strategies to enhance the exports of Indian agri and processed food products.
Strategic Shifts:- Reducing Logistical Challenges: The government committed to addressing logistical obstacles to improve the seamless movement and foster frictionless exports for agri and processed food.- Global Market Access: A stronger focus on accessing global markets was emphasized, aiming for better integration into international trade networks.
Innovation and Research: The Shivir strongly advocated for multisectoral consultations involving research bodies to drive innovation and improve productivity and product quality.- Collaborative Efforts: The event gathered stakeholders from central and state governments, industry leaders, and policy experts to work together and achieve the common goal of enhanced exports.- Modern Infrastructure and Value Addition: Importance was given to upgrading infrastructure and incorporating more value addition in processed foods to increase competitiveness.- Improved Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards (SPS): Aligning with international norms to ensure compliance and acceptance in global markets was highlighted as a priority.- Branding and Regulatory Alignment: Strategies were discussed to improve branding, strengthen regulatory frameworks, and streamline processes to support export growth.
Identified Opportunities:- Alcoholic Beverages and Nutraceuticals: These were flagged as high-potential export categories that could stimulate growth in the processed food market.- Basmati and Non-Basmati Rice: Opportunities and strategies were addressed specifically for these staple products.- Animal Products and Horticulture: These sectors were identified as crucial for export growth in their respective categories.- Processed Foods and Organic Products: Increased focus was placed on these product categories, taking advantage of growing demand on the global market.
In summary, the Chintan Shivir emphasized a collaborative, innovation-driven approach with infrastructure modernization, regulatory alignment, and focused product categories like alcoholic beverages, nutraceuticals, rice, animal products, horticulture, and organic foods to boost India's agri and processed food exports worldwide.
- To push the boundaries of agri-export growth, it would be beneficial to leverage cutting-edge technology in the production and transportation processes, particularly in addressing logistical hurdles and enhancing productivity.
- In the realms of sports and recreation, technological advancements can serve as a catalyst for nurturing a healthier population by providing tools for fitness tracking, athletic performance training, and sports analytics.
