Exports of fruits and vegetables from the country has been rising over the past few years. India exported 3.66 lakh tonnes of fruits valued at Rs911.85 crore and 1.36 million tonnes of vegetables valued at Rs1,525.27 crore in 2007-08.
The country exported 3.48 lakh tonnes of fruits valued at Rs8.72 crore and 1.66 million tonnes of vegetables valued at Rs1,596.45 crore in 2006-07.
Minister of state for agriculture KV Thomas gave this information in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Friday.
He said there has been an increase in the production of both fruits and vegetables in recent years.
Production of fruits in the country rose to 69.45 million tonnes in the financial year 2008-09 from 65.60 million tonnes in 2007-08 and 59.56 million tonnes in 2006-07.
Production of vegetables stood at 133.07 million tonnes in 2008-09 against 129.26 million tonnes in 2007-08 and 115.01 million tonnes in 2006-07, the minister informed the House.
He said the Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has been promoting export of fruits through several measures such as infrastructure development, setting up of agri export zones, opening up new markets for export, participation in international trade fairs and providing financial assistance to exporters for several activities.
Other steps include integrated training programmes for quality and productivity of selected fruits and setting up pilot facilities for disinfestations to meet specific quarantine requirements of importing countries, he added.
Source : domain-b.com