Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Wednesday expressed confidence that India’s agricultural exports can be scaled up to ₹20 lakh crore, provided the country focuses on food processing, branding, and packaging. He was addressing the “ICC: Agri Vikram Thematic Session” held in the national capital.
Goyal highlighted that India’s current agri and fisheries exports have already reached ₹4.5 lakh crore. He noted a positive trend of diversification in agricultural exports, with traditionally local produce like jamun, litchi, pineapple, and bottle gourd now reaching international markets.
“India has recently exported jamun to the UK, and litchi from Punjab to Doha and Dubai. Our presence in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf markets is continuously strengthening,” the minister stated.
Building a Resilient and Self-Reliant Supply Chain
Goyal emphasized the need for a strong, self-reliant supply chain from seeds and fertilizers to irrigation equipment and water pumps to withstand global disruptions. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative of declaring the International Year of Millets, which brought global recognition to India’s coarse grains.
Drip Irrigation: A Game Changer
The minister described drip irrigation as a game changer for Indian agriculture, particularly in rain-fed regions. He urged the development of small water sources at the village level and called for making drip irrigation a people’s movement. Highlighting the role of technology, he explained how energy-efficient smart pumps allow farmers to control irrigation remotely using mobile phones, helping conserve water and avoid over-irrigation.
Promoting Sustainable and Organic Farming
Goyal also underlined the vast potential of natural and organic farming and said the government is leveraging blockchain technology to ensure transparency and authenticity in organic produce. “We will support improved product packaging and design to make Indian farm products globally competitive,” he added.
Referring to collaboration among farmers, industries, and exporters, he said: “When these three stakeholders work together, challenges can be addressed more effectively.” He mentioned the establishment of the Turmeric Board to boost spice exports and noted that India’s coffee exports have doubled in recent years.
Government Support for Agri Infrastructure
The minister outlined key government schemes like the PM-Kisan Yojana, Fertilizer Subsidy, e-NAM platform, and the ₹1 lakh crore Agri Infrastructure Fund, aimed at strengthening rural agricultural systems. He noted that 1,400 mandis have already been integrated with e-NAM, enabling transparent and competitive pricing for farmers.
Empowering Women Through Technology
Highlighting innovation in agriculture, Goyal mentioned the “Drone Didi” scheme, under which 1.5 lakh women are being trained to use drones for fertilizer spraying. He also encouraged farmers to adopt intercropping, horticulture, and floriculture, while calling upon agri-entrepreneurs to adopt international best practices.
“From Local to Global”
In his concluding remarks, Goyal said, “When determination, technology, and collaboration come together, local products can earn global recognition. Indian agriculture has the potential to become a major driver of the country’s economic growth in the coming years.”
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