Indian Minister Advocates Increased Exports of Fresh Produce to Boost Farmers' Earnings

India Seeks to Boost Fruit and Vegetable Exports to Enhance Farmers' Income and Employment

Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday emphasized the need for India to significantly increase exports of fruits and vegetables. Speaking during a two-day 'Fruit Horizon 2026' programme in Lucknow, the minister highlighted the importance of enhancing farmers' income, generating employment, and earning foreign exchange.

The programme, which aims to increase fruit production, improve quality, and strengthen processing infrastructure, has been organized with the objective of making India a major player in the global fruit and vegetable market. India is a leading producer of several fruit varieties, particularly mangoes, with the quantity and quality of mangoes unmatched in the world.

However, despite being among the leading producers of fruits such as mangoes, grapes, bananas, and litchis, India's exports of these commodities remain low. The government is now working to increase exports and make Indian fruits and vegetables reach larger international markets. By doing so, farmers' incomes are expected to rise, foreign exchange earnings will grow, and employment opportunities will expand.

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As part of the initiative, a programme linked to the 'Fruit Horizon 2026' event will be held on Friday at the Rahman Khera campus of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The government has brought together farmers, exporters, processors, and institutions such as APEDA, MIDH, and ICAR on a common platform to discuss the challenges faced by the sector.

Some of the key issues being discussed include increasing the shelf life of produce, high freight costs, infrastructure requirements, cold storage, ripening chambers, and transportation-related matters. Teams have been formed for different research-related works to find solutions to these problems. While some issues can be resolved immediately, others require long-term research.

| Comparison of India's Fruit Exports (in million USD) | | --- | --- | | Current Exports | Proposed Exports | | 2022 | 2,500 | 2026 | 5,000 |

Note: The proposed exports figure of 5,000 million USD is a projected target for the year 2026.

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