India’s agriculture and fisheries exports have touched Rs 4.5 lakh crore, with Union Minister Piyush Goyal stating that the country has the potential to scale this figure up to Rs 20 lakh crore through improved food processing, branding, and packaging. Speaking at the ICC: Krishi Vikram Thematic Session in New Delhi, the Minister highlighted the need for a resilient and self-reliant farm ecosystem that can withstand global shocks and supply chain disruptions.
Highlighting the evolving nature of India’s export basket, Goyal said that non-traditional items like litchi, jamun, pineapple, and bottle gourd are now reaching markets such as the UK, Doha, and Dubai. He pointed to the recent export of jamun to the UK and Punjab litchis to Gulf countries as examples of India’s growing global agricultural footprint. “We are now tapping into opportunities that were previously unexplored,” he said.
Minister also credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts in promoting millets on the global stage through the International Year of Millets initiative. He said the campaign had helped revive interest in India’s traditional grains and positioned them as climate-resilient, nutritious alternatives.
Goyal stressed the need to modernise agriculture practices by scaling up technologies like drip irrigation and energy-efficient water pumps. “Drip irrigation can be a game-changer in a rain-dependent economy like ours,” he said, adding that creating water bodies at the village level and shifting to smart irrigation practices could help boost yields and reduce climate vulnerability.
He also highlighted the benefits of replacing outdated water pumps with smart models that offer remote control via mobile phones and real-time water usage data. These innovations, when paired with efficient irrigation systems, can lower input costs and enhance farm sustainability, he said.
The Minister called on agri-entrepreneurs to partner with farmers and invest in better packaging, organic certification, and product design to help India’s produce stand out globally. He mentioned the formation of a Turmeric Board to promote spice exports and noted that coffee exports have nearly doubled in recent years. However, he acknowledged that further effort is needed to fully realise the potential of the spice sector.
Touching on government initiatives, Goyal pointed to PM-Kisan’s financial support to farmers, subsidy-backed fertiliser supply, and the expansion of e-NAM, with over 1,400 mandis connected to the digital platform. He also spoke of the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund and the promotion of FPOs to drive mechanisation and post-harvest infrastructure.
Lauding the “Drone Didi” scheme that has trained 1.5 lakh women in drone-based fertiliser spraying, Goyal urged stakeholders to adopt global best practices in intercropping, horticulture, and floriculture. “With collective effort and innovation, we can turn local produce into global success stories,” he said, calling India’s agricultural transformation both challenging and inspiring.
