Question : EXPORT AND IMPORT OF AGRICULTURAL FARM PRODUCTS

(a) the quantum and value of foodgrains and other agricultural/farm products exported and imported vis-a-vis target fixed in this regard during each of the last three years and the current year, commodity/ item and country-wise;

(b) India`s share in the global trade in foodgrains and other agricultural products along with the share of various States therein;

(c) whether the export of agricultural products is very low in comparison with other consumer products from the country and if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;

(d) whether the export of agricultural products particularly wheat and rice has resulted in shortage and price rise of these products or their processed items in the country and if so, the details thereof along with the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard;

(e) the assistance/incentives/facilities being provided by the Government to the exporters to boost export of agricultural/ farm products; and

(f) the measures taken by the Government to boost export of agricultural products including any scheme being implemented by the Government through Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

(a) The details of quantum and value of export of major foodgrains and agricultural/farm products exported and imported during each of the last three years and the current year, country-wise (top 5) are given at Annexure – I and Annexure – II respectively. No targets were fixed as import and export of agri commodities depends on various factors including availability of stocks in domestic market, concerns of food security, diplomatic / humanitarian considerations, international demands and supply situation, quality standards in the importing countries, varieties traded and price competitiveness, need to balance between remunerative prices to the growers and availability of agricultural products to common man at affordable prices.

(b) As per the International Trade Statistics, 2014 from WTO, share of India in the global export of agricultural products is 2.7%. The state wise data is not maintained.

(c) The share of overall agricultural exports in total merchandise export of the country in 2013-14 was 13.6% which has grown from 9.95% in 2009-10. Considering the huge population and various challenges facing the agricultural sector, the share of agriculture export cannot be considered as low.

(d) Domestic prices of any agriculture commodity, inter-alia, are a function of several factors like domestic and international demand and supply, cost of production like labour, capital, input cost etc., prevailing domestic and international food inflation etc. and, therefore, cannot be directly attributed to exports alone.

(e & f) The Government is taking steps to encourage exports of agro products through measures and incentives under Plan schemes of the Commodity Boards and Export Promotion Councils. Besides these measures, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry has put in place various schemes namely Market Development Assistance (MDA), Market Assistance Initiative (MAI), Assistance to States for Developing Export Infrastructure and Allied Activities(ASIDE), Vishesh Krishi and Gram Upaj Yojana, Focus Product Scheme, Focus Market Scheme etc. to provide assistance to encourage exports. APEDA provides assistance to registered members under “Agriculture Export Promotion Plan Scheme” for Quality, Infrastructure, Market Development and Transport Assistance.