Structure:
Introduction: (up to 30 words) Briefly write about Agriculture Export Policy
Body: (up to 100 words) Mention how it would benefit Karnataka and the farmers
Conclusion: (up to 30 words) Conclude by noting that agriculture continues to be the backbone of our society and it provides livelihood to nearly 50 per cent of our population. Such initiatives will aid and empower their livelihoods.
Supporting Points:
The Agriculture Export Policy 2018 aims to double farm exports to $ 60 billion by 2022 from $ 30 billion last year. The Centre will invest Rs 1,400 crore to set up specialised clusters in different states for different products to push exports.
To promote export of agriculture, horticulture and cash crops, the Ministry of Commerce and Industries has identified 20 crops in 50 districts across the country, to develop as export clusters.
In Karnataka, the government has selected Belgaum and Mysuru for pomegranate, Bengaluru Rural and Chikkaballapur for rose onion, Chikkamagalru, Kodagu, and Hassan for coffee and Chikkamagaluru for pepper as export clusters.
What does this mean for Karnataka?
- Boost high value and value-added agricultural exports from Karnataka.
- Promote novel, indigenous, organic, ethnic, traditional and non-traditional Agri products exports.
- Under the Agriculture Export Policy, the Ministry will fund the identified districts to encourage farmers to grow quality products and its export.
- Fund will be provided for dedicated clusters of produce with pre and post-harvest management of the production, upgrading the supply chain to attain much higher levels of export from those clusters etc.
- To provide an institutional mechanism for pursuing market access, training to farmers for branding and packaging.
- The scheme also has funding capacity building, a public-private partnerships for integrated agriculture development and setting up laboratories.
- This will eventually lead to prosperity in those districts, employment opportunities and economic growth of the state.
- Agriculture export, if properly supported by infrastructure, institutional back up, packaging, freight transport and connected to the internal production system backed by market access it will be in a position to transform the agricultural economy in the State.
