Govt approves Rs 206.8 cr for Implementation of Agriculture Export Policy scheme

The government has approved an outlay of Rs 206.8 crore for 2019-19 for a central sector scheme titled ‘Implementation of Agriculture Export Policy’ aimed at doubling farmers’ income by 2022.

“The Central Government has approved a Central Sector Scheme titled ‘Implementation of Agriculture Export Policy’,” the government said in a notification.

Of this, Rs 134.50 crore are allocated to setup dedicated clusters for mangoes, pomegranate, bananas, grapes, tea, coffee, turmeric, and marine products, among others along with pre and post-harvest management of the production, upgrading the supply chain to attain much higher levels of export from those clusters.

The approved scheme also entails outlay for post-harvest infrastructure in clusters, capacity building, grant towards Public Private Partnership for Integrated Agriculture Development (PPP-IAD) and laboratories

The ‘Agriculture Export Policy, 2018’ seeks to double farm exports to $60 billion by 2022 from $30 billion last year, and will invest Rs 1,400 crore to set up specialised clusters in different states for different produce to push exports.

The government, in December, approved the policy for agriculture, lifting all restrictions on organic and processed food under which the norms for sensitive farm goods such as onions will be reviewed from time to time.

“A Monitoring Cell will be established by the Department of Commerce. A Project monitoring unit will also be engaged,” the government said.

Assistance to state agencies, institutional mechanism, marketing, product development and research and development are also included in the scheme.