New Delhi (PTI): Farmers and exporters should adhere to stringent testing and accreditation norms, besides developing modern processing facilities and efficient logistics to increase the agricultural exports, an official said.
"We have to focus on making exports happen. (the) government has already started accreditation for mutual recognition of certificates between countries," Additional Secretary in Commerce Ministry P K Chaudhery said at a PHD Chamber seminar.
Agricultural exports constitute only 8 per cent of India's total overseas sales, he said adding that value added products are better for exports.
"Both farmers and exporters should develop high standards at home and must adhere to the labeling and labour standards required to be met by importing countries," he added.
Agriculture Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), government's agriculture trade promotion body, has said that it is hopeful of achieving 25 per cent growth in the export of agricultural, vegetables, fruits and processed food items against the targeted 15 per cent by the end of the current fiscal.
With the 25 per cent growth rate against targeted 15 per cent, our total export will touch USD 10 billion from the country against USD 7.9 billion attained in 2007-08, APEDA said.
India's major markets for agricultural exports are Middle East and West Asian countries, which is around 35 per cent share and markets of the US and Europe constitute just 4 per cent and 9 per cent, respectively, of the total exports.
During November and December 2008, the export growth declined to 18 per cent against 28 per cent growth achieved in April till October.
The Hindu