Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today pitched for a long-term export-import policy as the country’s farm output had largely stabilised.
Stating that the constant now-on, now-off policy on exports was showing the country in poor light, Pawar said the “time has come to accept and introduce the long-term export-import policy for farm commodities”.
India’s current policy was largely influenced by the fluctuations in production and prices of agri-commodities.
Speaking at the Economic Editors Conference, Pawar said stability in farm output had helped India emerge the second largest exporter of agri-commodities in the past one year.
India has emerged a large exporter of rice and wheat after it lifted a ban on exports of the cereals.
“We have exported 10 million tonnes (mt) of rice, including 3.5 mt of basmati rice, besides 2.5 mt of wheat, 3.5 mt of sugar and 40 lakh bales of cotton last year,” Pawar said.
The Minister said that the country had ample stocks to meet domestic requirements.
Foodgrain production
Foodgrain production in the current year would definitely be lower than last year’s 257 mt as poor monsoon had hurt the kharif output, he added.
“However, we will be able to recoup the losses in the coming rabi season” he said.
Late rain in August and September has enhanced the moisture content in soil, which should help expand rabi acreage.
The first advance estimates indicate that India is likely to produce 117.18 mt of foodgrain in the kharif season, a decline of about 10 per cent over previous year’s 129.94 mt.
12th Plan Estimate
Pawar said his Ministry was looking to accelerate farm sector growth to four per cent in the 12{+t}{+h} Plan.
“Our endeavour in the 12{+t}{+h} Plan would be to consolidate the gains and gear up to enhance the growth to four per cent.
We recognise this challenge and will do all that is necessary to improve the required level of gross capital formation in agriculture,” he said. In the 11{+t}{+h} Plan period, the sector grew 3.3 per cent.
Caution on GM Crops
To a query on genetically modified (GM) crops, Pawar said the Government had adopted a cautious approach on the issue and allowed the technology to be commercialised only in cotton.
“GM is a technology that needs to be explored, taking all safety norms to meet the rising food dem