Lok Sabha Question No. 2417 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-01
Subject: Agricultural Trade with Foreign Countries
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: K. GOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2417 TO BE ANSWERED ON 1 st  AUGUST, 2016

## AGRICULTURAL TRADE WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES

## 2417. DR. K. GOPAL:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वािणÏय एवं उɮयोग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether India is presently targeting markets in Australia, South Africa and South Korea for mangoes and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is also looking at the United States, Japan and Vietnam for the export of grapes, while China for rice, fruits and vegetables and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the country's agri-exports fell to Rs. 95,744 crore during April-February of 201516 fiscal from Rs. 1,20,316 crore in the year ago period; and
- (d) if so, the reasons therefor along with the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

- (a) Yes, madam. Some varieties of mangoes from northern India are already being exported to Australia. In order to boost export of other varieties, the matter was pursued with the concerned Australian authorities to consider different varieties and other mitigation measures of Hot Water Treatment and Irradiation. In this regard,  a  delegation  visited  India  in  the  month  of  June  2016  to  verify  and certify  three  irradiation  facilities  for  export  of  irradiated  mangoes  from  the western  and  southern  parts  of  India.   Approval  for  certification  of  these facilities is under process.

In case of South Africa, the market access efforts are continuing.  The National Plant  Protection  Organization  (NPPO),  Ministry  of  Agriculture  &  Farmers Welfare, has sent the required information to the South African Authorities and the  response from them is awaited.  The matter is being pursued through the Indian High Commission  in South Africa to receive the final import requirement.

In case of South Korea, market access has been gained on 7 th June, 2016. South Korean Quarantine Inspector has arrived in India on 11 th July, 2016 for on-site pre-clearance  programme  at  VHT  facility  at  Saharanpur,  Uttar  Pradesh,  for export of mangoes to South Korea.

- (b) Yes,  madam. For export of grapes, the finalization  of import  risk  analysis  is awaited from the USA. In case of Japan and Vietnam, the import risk analysis with  post-harvest  mitigation  measures  is  yet  to  be  finalized  by  them.  The matter  is  being  pursued  through  the  Indian  Embassies  in  the  respective countries.

As for China, India has already submitted priority list for market access of 5 fruits and vegetables to AQSIQ, China, as per their request for providing the priority list. Out of 5 products submitted in the priority list, the finalization of protocol for okra is in the final stage and is pending with AQSIQ, China.

- (c) India's export of Agricultural & Allied Products, during the period April 2015 -  February  2016,  was  Rs.1,43,802.55  crore  as  compared  to  Rs.1,68,918.94 crore over the same period in the previous financial year.
- (d) The primary reasons for decline are: low commodity prices in the international market; shrinking of global demand; high domestic prices, as compared to the international prices, which has made our exports uncompetitive; unfavourable currency rate movements as compared to the competing countries etc.

Encouraging  exports  of  agricultural  products  is  a  continuous  process.  The Agricultural and Processed Food Export Development Authority (APEDA), an autonomous  organisation under the Department of Commerce,  provides financial  assistance  to  the  exporters  through  various  components  of  its  Plan Scheme viz. Infrastructure Development, Market Promotion, Quality Development and Transport Assistance. Besides these measures, the Ministry of  Commerce  &  Industry  has  put  in  place  various  schemes  namely  Market Development  Assistance  (MDA),  Market  Assistance  Initiative  (MAI)  and Merchandise  Export  Incentive  Scheme  (MEIS)  etc.  to  provide  assistance  to encourage exports.

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