Doubling Indian Agri Export through Natural Farming Management, Horticulture & African Markets

Aims: We explore the scope of escalating agriculture export in doubling farmers income and rational use of the growing Indian agriculture surplus and consequent glut, farmer distress.

Study Design: The study is exploratory type and was conducted by literature survey and discussion with farmers, experts and industry.

Methodology: The study was conducted by field visits to exporting, farmer exporters and experts during 2017 to 2022 by visiting farmers in Amaravati and Palghar districts, exporters in Mumbai city and experts at Pune city. Their data were triangulated with the literature from reputed agri-research institutions.

Results: Doubling agri export can help to doubling farmer’s income (DFI) as export price is premium and profitability higher, besides increasing foreign exchange. Fruits & vegetables (F&V) is the largest agri-export segment globally but meagre 9th rank among Indian agri-export basket. Focussing on larger or costly market segment such as fruits & vegetables having higher productivity & surplus, rather than the cereals can help. Recent natural farming mission can aid in it and safeguard consumer and farmer’s health such as from the cancer. Indian F&V production more than doubled in the past 2 decades to exceed grains production, due to their health benefits. Maximum residue level (MRL) is the export benchmark so promoting low/ no pesticide techniques under the recent Indian natural farming (NF) mission can help to triple Indian agri-exports to $ 100 billion by 2030 from $35 billion in 2023, through horticulture, dairy and tea, cocoa that are in demand and valued. African markets can be tapped as it imports majority of its food and has less entry barriers. Policy may focus on fruits like Banana and premium for NF produce.

Conclusion: Focusing on fruits & vegetables (F&V), dairy, lipids & adopting the low/ no “pesticide residue” standard etc. can boost Indian agri-exports.