Agriculture Minister Unveils Roadmap To Boost Fruit Quality, Exports

New Delhi, May 9 (KNN) Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has outlined a roadmap to strengthen India’s fruit export ecosystem, stressing that the country must shift its focus beyond production towards quality, shelf life, processing, logistics and export standards to compete globally.

Addressing the ‘Fruit Horizon 2026’ conference at ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture in Lucknow, the Union Agriculture Minister said agriculture can no longer remain limited to farm-level production and must be supported through stronger value chains covering processing, marketing and exports.

Interacting with farmers, exporters and horticulture stakeholders, Chouhan said improving fruit quality and maintaining export standards would be essential for strengthening India’s presence in international markets.

During the conference, it was decided that scientific institutions under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), along with exporters, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and other agencies, would jointly form a task force to address challenges faced by producers and exporters and prepare a time-bound action plan aimed at increasing farmers’ incomes.

The minister also said the Centre would strengthen Uttar Pradesh under the Clean Planting Material Programme. As part of the initiative, a Clean Plant Centre is being established at Central Institute of Sub Tropical Horticulture (CISH) Lucknow to develop disease-free and genetically pure planting material for crops including mango, guava, litchi and avocado.

Chouhan emphasised the need to produce premium-quality fruits with ‘zero rejection’ standards, adding that modern technologies, post-harvest management systems, pack houses, processing infrastructure and standardised export procedures would be critical for improving global competitiveness.

The discussions also highlighted the role of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) and Self-Help Groups in improving market access for small farmers.

Officials noted that export-oriented horticulture clusters and post-harvest infrastructure are being strengthened in the state, including facilities linked to Noida International Airport.

The Food Horizon was attended by farmers, scientists, exporters, nursery operators, representatives from the fruit processing sector and officials from the central and state governments, including Uttar Pradesh ministers Surya Pratap Shahi and Dinesh Pratap Singh.

(KNN Bureau)