Draft of new agricultural exports policy is ready: Suresh Prabhu

The Dollar Business Bureau

Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu said on Sunday that the draft of a new policy on agricultural exports is ready with the Government and it will introduce the policy soon and added that this would provide a better market for the farmers.

“Better market is essential for farmers to lead a happy life. Hence, we have thought of introducing a new policy for agricultural exports,” Prabhu said while speaking at the inauguration of new chocolate factory amenity building of Campco Ltd in Puttur, Karnataka.

“The draft of the policy is ready and the same will be made available online. Concerns of farmers regarding agricultural export market will end once the policy is implemented," he added.

The Minister further said that the Government is cognizant about the problems of rubber cultivators and soon reveal a national policy for rubber. “Besides, the Government will come out with a special package for spices,” he added.

Prabhu said that the farmers in the country are facing problems due to the interference of middlemen and international players and there is a need to protect the interests of farmers from them.

“The electronic trading that is being introduced in the first phase will eradicate the menace of middlemen and the proposed policy for agricultural exports will address all issues related to foreign market,” he said.

Prabhu, while referring to the vision of rural development of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said that a country’s development is nothing but the growth of its villages.

The Minister thanked the contribution of cooperative sector in empowering the farmers in India. “Cooperative sector’s role in rural development in the country is significant. Cooperative societies should also enter into agro-processing industries,” he said.