As per UNCOMTRADE data, India™s share in global agricultural trade is 1.67% during 2011. India™s share in world agricultural trade is relatively low. The small share is primarily on account of very high domestic consumption, low land holding size, low productivity, constraints of supply chain and marketing linkages as well as low level of processing. Moreover, essential commodities including foodgrains are allowed to be exported only after meeting the buffer stock and strategic reserve norms.
The quantum of export and import of major agricultural products during last three years including current year upto May, 2013 for top five destinations are at Annexure-I and Annexure II respectively.
In July, 2008, the Tunisian side had sought relaxation of the ban on export of rice. The Government receives requests from time to time for supply of Indian agricultural products from various countries and also during the bilateral trade negotiations such demands are also being raised.
The export of agri and allied products has registered considerably high growth rates i.e. 32.03%, 68.36% and 30.59% during last three years in rupee terms.
No specific study has been conducted to access the total potential of export of agricultural sector in recent times.Encouraging exports is a continuous process. The Government is taking steps to encourage exports of agro products through measures and incentives under Plan schemes of the Commodity Boards and Export Promotion Councils. Besides these measures, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry has put in place various schemes namely Market Development Assistance (MDA), Market Assistance Initiative (MAI), Assistance to States for Developing Export Infrastructure and Allied Activities(ASIDE), Vishesh Krishi and Gram Upaj Yojana, Focus Product Scheme, Focus Market Scheme, Town of Export Excellence, etc. to provide assistance to encourage exports.
The information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Dr. D. Purandeswari in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
