The Maharashtra government has appointed a committee headed by the State Agriculture Commissioner, Shri Suhas Diwase to frame a new agriculture export policy. Maharashtra already leads in export of onions, pomegranates and grapes hence the new policy will concentrate on doubling export of bananas, vegetables & rice.
For this, the State Cooperative & Marketing Department has issued a resolution declaring the appointment of the Committee that comprises of 9 government officials from different departments.
Already, the Maharashtra State government has planned to form 6 clusters to export grapes, mangoes, oranges, pomegranates, banana and onions. The new agri export policy will be in agreement with the Centre’s Agriculture Export Policy that aims at strengthening the entire value chain from the export- oriented farm production & processing to infrastructure, transportation and market access.
In a recent address at the first State level awareness programme on agriculture export policy held in Pune, the Commerce Minister Shri Suresh Prabhu said that in order to attain the purpose of the policy, clusters have been identified all over India for development of agriculture exports.
Prabhu also stressed on attractive or eye-catching packaging to boost the demand for the identified products. The Indian Institute of Packaging has been incorporated for working on packaging standards for international markets.
On the other hand, State Agriculture Commissioner, Diwase said, "The policy will reinforce the entire eco-system especially from the pre & post harvesting, cold chain & the quality of produce. There is a growing demand for medicinal plants & nutri cereals and value-added produce. The policy will lay down an agenda on how to tap the global market”.
Currently, Maharashtra accounts for more than 50 percent of India’s agriculture exports. It exports 60 to 70% of the fruits, vegetables & cereals yearly.
