Very soon, there could be identified ‘organic villages', where vegetables, fruits to be grown through organic farming methods would be encouraged, if the trade body Assocham has its say.

A feasibility report is being prepared by Assocham in two months to identify five villages in five districts of Andhra Pradesh to launch this unique initiative, according to Mr D.S. Rawat, Secretary General. The Planning Commission and State Government need to help in the initiative.

Each farmer who undertakes organic farming is expected to get an increase of 250 per cent in income, after three years, he told newspersons at the launch of the body's new report titled ‘Agri Export Zones-Towards Newer Market' today.

Exports abysmal

The Assocham report pointed out that India was positioned at a dismally low rank accounting for just a miniscule 1.6 per cent of the total global agri exports pegged at $15.6 billion. In quantity terms, India is ranked 222{+n}{+d} according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation's (FAO) trade index.

In the country, agriculture and related activities account for employment to 55 per cent of the population and over 10 per cent of the overall exports. It is time the Government took some quick policy decisions to give a boost, said Assocham.

Export promotion policies that focus on commodities where India has marketable surplus and competitive strengths in global markets, need a push. The total investments of Rs 1,098 crore in the 20 Agri Export Zones in the country, with exports valued at Rs 10,690 crore after being a major producer of agriculture products, is a modest figure that needs to be substantially increased, Assocham said.

He said in Andhra Pradesh an investment of Rs 207 crore has gone into the five AEZs. The exports from these zones touched Rs 3,000 crore. Since the State is such a big player, Assocham was establishing its office within two months here.

Releasing the report, Mr C.R. Biswal, Principal Secretary, (Food Processing), Andhra Pradesh said the State would soon have a Regional Centre for food processing. A committee of the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries had recommended the setting up of six such centres in different places to give a push to agro-food processing.

The Assocham Chairman of the Southern Regional Council, Mr Ravindra Sanna Reddy, of Sri City SEZ in Nellore said mangoes and grapes were driving huge export growth from Andhra Pradesh.

But, there was a need for diversification into other commodities and fruits as well.

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW