My ministry will make sure India's agri is able to feed global economy: Prabhu

Newly appointed Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu Tuesday said he will make sure India's agriculture is able to feed the global economy. To facilitate farm produce access to global market, he will soon put out a policy framework.

His assurance came ahead of the World Trade Organisation's December ministerial conference in Buenos Aires. India and China have jointly proposed to the WTO against trade distorting farm subsidies by developed countries.

“If farmers produce something, they should get an access to global market and get better prices for that, and for that, we will put in place a good policy framework very soon. We have right to have access to global markets for our farm produce by removing all trade restrictive practices,” Prabhu said at an agriculture summit here.

“As a minister it’s my job to ensure that we develop this global supply chain and ensure farmers get better prices... My ministry will make sure that we will achieve this goal to ensure that India’s agriculture is also able to feed global economy,” he said in his first public audience after assuming the new office. Prabhu said removal of trade restrictions is needed to enhance the country's agricultural exports.

His assurance also came close on the heels Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasising on the need for India's agricultural produce to capture the world market. He asked people associated with agro-economics to study the need for agro-products in other countries and add value according to their need.

“We need to have value addition and need to think of how our agricultural products can capture the world market. The population in the Gulf countries is growing. They have oil but scanty water. No matter how much oil is there, water is essential for survival. And so they have no choice but to import agricultural products. Can’t we study their needs for agro-products? ...and make that product available in those countries in the way they want,” the Prime Minister recently told the young entrepreneurs in the farm sector.

Prabhus said his ministry will work on developing the global supply chain for the agriculture sector. His commitment is expected to help post harvest and transportation stage wastage of farm produce.