GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 1007
ANSWERED ON:04.03.2013
EXPORT OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
(a)whether India`s share in the global trade in agricultural products is very low;
(b)if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor including the quantum of agricultural products imported as well as exported during each of the last three years and the current year, item-wise, country-wise;
(c)whether India has emerged as the world`s largest exporter of rice and buffalo meat and if so, the details thereof;
(d)whether the country has not been able to optimally utilize the potential for export of agricultural products and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(e)whether the Government has conducted any study to assess the total potential of the agricultural sector; and
(f)the steps taken by the Government to boost the export of agricultural products?
ANSWER
(a & b) As per “International Trade Statistics 2012” released by the World Trade Organization (WTO), India`s share of agricultural commodities in the world market of USD 1659 billion during 2011in terms of export was 2.06% with export value of USD 34.32 billion. 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, the 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 two years including current year upto September, 2012 for top five destinations are at Annexure-I and Annexure – II respectively.
(c) As per the data released by the USDA, India has emerged as the largest exporter of rice and bovine meat (beef). The details are as under:
Figures in Million MT
Product World India India’s Share (%)
Rice 39.02 10.25 26.26
Bovine 8.32 1.68 20.19
meat(beef)
(d) No, Madam. During 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 upto December, 2012 the export of agri and allied products has registered considerably high growth at 32.03 %, 67.96 % and 48.80 % respectively.
(e) No study has been conducted to access the total potential of agricultural sector in recent times.
(f) 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. Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the administrative control of the Department of Commerce is also implementing various Schemes to extend financial assistance to the eligible exporters registered with it to boost the overall agri exports. 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. Trade delegations are also mounted to penetrate foreign markets and Buyer –Seller Meets are organized to assist the potential exports.