New Delhi, Dec 7 (KNN) Government has come out with a comprehensive ‘Agriculture Export Policy-2018’ with an aim to double the agricultural exports and integrating Indian farmers and agricultural products with the global value chains.

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the Agriculture Export Policy, 2018 to double farmers’ income by 2022.

The Cabinet has also approved the proposal for establishment of monitoring framework at centre with commerce as the nodal department with representation from various line ministries/departments and agencies and representatives of concerned state governments, to oversee the implementation of agriculture export policy.

In order to provide an impetus to agricultural exports, the policy seeks to double agricultural exports from present ~USD 30+ Billion to ~USD 60+ Billion by 2022 and reach USD 100 Billion in the next few years thereafter, with a stable trade policy regime.

“The policy will promote organic, ethnic and indigenous products,” commerce and industry minister Suresh Prabhu said while briefing the media about the cabinet decision.

Further, Policy seeks to diversify export basket, destinations and boost high value and value added agricultural exports including focus on perishables.

It aims to provide an institutional mechanism for pursuing market access, tackling barriers and deal with sanitary and phyto-sanitary issues and enable farmers to get benefit of export opportunities in overseas market.

Prabhu said the policy has been designed with extensive consultations with states that have agreed to remove a lot of restrictions, including mandi taxes, and APMC (Agricultural Produce Market Committee)-related conditions.