Graph-1

The historic achievement over past two years will go a long way in realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of enhancing farmers’ income.

Compared to total agricultural export, APEDA’s exports registered 16 per cent growth when it touched US$25.6 billion in 2021-22 from US$22.03 billion in 2020-21.  The highest growth rate recorded by APEDA products (more than 30 per cent) in 2021-22 corresponding to previous year may be seen from Graph-2.

According to the DGCI&S data, export of rice was the top forex earner at US$9654 million during 2021-22, growing 9.35 per cent from previous year when it touched US$8829 million.

The export of wheat touched an all time high at US$2118 million in 2021-22, growing 273 per cent from 2020-21 when it touched US$567 million, while other cereals registered a growth of 53 per cent by fetching US$1083 million in 2021-22 in compare to the previous financial year when it touched US$705 million.

Export of pulses reported a growth of 34 per cent touching US$358 million in 2021-22 from US$265 million in 2020-21.

Dairy products grew over by 96 per cent standing at US$634 million in 2021-22 from US$323 million in 2020-21, while buffalo meat registered a growth of just 4 per cent as export of bovine meat increased from US$3171 million in 2020-21 to US$3303 million in 2021-22.

Export of poultry products rose to US$71 million in 2021-22 from US$58 million in the previous year and sheep/goat meat export is up by 34 per cent at US$60 million in 2021-22 from US$44 million in the previous year.

Fruits and vegetables exports were up by 12 per cent to touch US$1676 million in 2021-22 against US$1492 million in 2020-21, while processed fruits and vegetables exports were up by 7 per cent to reach US$1202 million in 2021-22 against US$1120 million in the previous year.

Exports of other processed food items grew by 34 per cent during 2021-22 to touch US$1164 million against US$ 866 million in 2020-21. The cashew exports also grew by 7 per cent to US$452 million in 2021-22 from US$420 million in the previous year. Floriculture products reported a rise of 33 per cent when it touched US$103 million in 2021-22 from US$77 million in 2020-21.

APEDA's major exporting destination as per 2021-22 data are Bangladesh, the UAE, Vietnam, USA, Nepal, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Iran and Egypt.

The significant rise in agri-exports is seen as a testimony of the government’s commitment to enhance farmers’ income through giving thrust on boosting exports of agricultural and processed food products.

The rise in export of agricultural and processed food products has been largely due to the various initiatives taken by Centre through APEDA such as organising B2B exhibitions in different countries, exploring new potential markets through product specific and general marketing campaigns by active involvement of Indian Embassies.

The government organised more than 300 outreach programmes in collaboration with state governments for enhancing the exports of agricultural produce.

“We have also created products matrix for 50 agricultural products which have good scope for expanding our exports portfolios,” said Dr M Angamuthu, Chairman, APEDA.

Centre has also taken several initiatives to promote geographical indications (GI) registered with agricultural and processed food products in India by organising virtual Buyer Seller Meets on agricultural and food products with the major importing countries across the world.

In order to ensure seamless quality certification of products to be exported, government has recognised 220 labs across India to provide services of testing to a wide range of products to exporters.

Centre, through APEDA also assists in upgradation and strengthening of recognised laboratories for export testing and residue monitoring plans. APEDA also provides assistance under the financial assistance schemes of infrastructure development, quality improvement and market development for boosting export of agricultural products.

The participation of exporters in the International Trade Fairs was organised, which provides a platform to the exporters to market their food products in the global marketplace. National events like Aahar, Organic World Congress, BioFach India etc. were organised to promote agri-exports.

Government, through the aegis of APEDA also initiates registration of pack-houses for horticulture products for meeting the quality requirements of the international market. Registration of export units for peanut shelling, grading and processing units, for instance, is to ensure quality adherence for the EU and non-EU countries.

APEDA also carries out registration of meat processing plants and abattoirs for ensuring compliance with global food safety and quality requirements. Another key initiative includes development and implementation of traceability systems which ensure the food safety and quality compliances of the importing countries.

For boosting exports, APEDA compiles and disseminates various international trade analytical information, market access information amongst exporters and address trade enquiries.

As part of the PM Gati Shakti - National Master Plan, APEDA is collaborating with various ministries including railways and roadways for enhancing connectivity through faster transportation of agricultural products, as they are perishable in nature so it requires immediate and fast delivery to its destination from the production points.

“The government has been focussing on boosting exports from Purvanchal, Himalayan, NER states, J&K and Ladakh,” Dr Angamuthu, said.

In line with the government’s Digital India policy, APEDA has implemented several new digital technology-based initiatives which have played a key role in enabling agricultural exports worth of $25 billion under the its basket in 2021-22.

APEDA has adopted multiple world class technology and software in IT division such as Blockchain technology implemented in hortinet traceability, Farmer Connect Portal, Geographical Indications (GI) Promotion Portal, Mobile App, iTrack System, TraceNet, Organic Promotional Portal, Agriexchange App, and Cloud Migration etc.

Given that demand of natural products is growing and consumers demand greater quantities of foods, cosmetics and medicines that contain natural ingredients, the Centre is in process to formulate a strategy for promotion of export of natural farming products in consultation with Ministry of Agriculture to develop the standards for production along with certification system.

A Farmer Connect Portal has also been set up on APEDA’s website for providing a platform for Farmer Producers Organisations (FPOs) or Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs), Cooperatives and women entrepreneurs to interact with exporters. Around 3,295 FPOs and FPCs and 3,315 exporters have been registered in the portal so far.  More than 24 lakh organic farmers registered with APEDA. India is the leading producer of organic products in the world.

Products	2021-22 USD million	2020-21 USD million
Rice	9654	8829
Dairy Products	634	323
Pulses	358	265
Other Cereals	1083	705
Cashew	452	420
Wheat	2118	567
Fruits & Vegetables	1789	1617
Processed Products	1202	1120
Floriculture products	103	77
Sheep/goat meat	60	34
Buffalo meat	3303	3171
Poultry	71	58
Miscellaneous processed items	4753	4844
Total	25580	22030