Value addition, diversification of agricultural produce are essential to increase export competitiveness: APEDA

New Delhi, Oct 30 (KNN) Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has said that value addition and diversification are essential to increase export competitiveness and farmers' income.   

Addressing the National Conference on Enhancing Export competitiveness of Agriculture Produce: Focus : Rice and Fruits & Vegetables organized by FICCI, on Thursday, Dr Angamuthu said that to successfully increase Agri export we must focus on increasing value addition and develop a strategy for diversification.

“Our farmers must get better farm income by doubling their exports. This is the right time to increase our productivity and diversify to value addition. We are designing specific strategies to improve organic agriculture and value addition in food items,” he added.  

Dr Angamuthu further stated that organic farming is the way forward for agriculture in India and the North East leads by example. The increasing trend of organic agricultural produce is on the rise and necessary steps must be taken to promote organic farming and improve our organic identity globally.

“We have a properly designed Agri export policy, which has provisions of incentives for exporters, fund to promote Agri start-ups and encourage first- time exporters,” he said.

To realise the Prime Minister’s mission to develop ten thousand FPOs, Dr Angamuthu urged business chambers and corporates to work and develop a greater number of Farmer-Producer Organizations and Agri-export entrepreneurs.  

He further mentioned that by serving as a bridge between agriculture and manufacturing and by meeting the basic need of assured supply of healthy and affordable food to all people across the country, the sector has the potential to be a major driver of India's growth in the coming years.