The Hindu Business Line : `Call to boost farm exports'

India needs to quickly take steps to increase supply of agricultural products to the world market by increasing productivity, according to Dr H.A.C. Prasad, Senior Economic Advisor, Department of Economic Affairs, Union Ministry of Finance.

Delivering the keynote address at a seminar on `Enhancing India's competitiveness: a roadmap to the future' at Justice K.S. Hegde Institute of Management at Nitte in Udupi district on Saturday, he said that a three-pronged approach covering concerted initiatives should be taken in this regard.

First, the country should review and implement the relevant standards domestically.

Second, it should take recourse to bilateral and multilateral negotiations to remove obstacles in agricultural exports.

Third, the country should expand the supply base of exportable agricultural items.

The integrated food law, which is in the offing, may be a good step forward, he said.

He said that the poor quality of seeds is one of the reasons for lack of competitiveness in agriculture and farmers' deaths in the country.

Manufacturing hub

Stating that the country can become a hub for service and manufacturing activities, he said there has been an explosive growth in business services.

There is good potential for the export of many professional services such as super speciality hospitals; satellite mapping; printing and publishing; and accounting, auditing and bookkeeping services.

In manufacturing, the country can become the hub for automobile, textiles, and biotechnology sectors.

FDI in textiles

Referring to the textile sector, he said foreign direct investment was needed in this sector.

Stating that there is a need for a change in psyche of domestic companies, he said the new economy technology should be applied to the old economy sectors such as textiles.

Dr N.K. Thingalaya, Chairman of the academic council of the institute, and Prof M.S. Moodithaya, Director of the institute, were present on the occasion.