Why does India's agricultural export performance remain weak despite high production levels? What measures would you suggest to improve agri-export competitiveness?

Agriculture exports have increased in 2015 (2005-2009) while agriculture GVA increased in 4% CAGR, highlighting low export density and productivity. Reasons for low exports: (1) Reduced consumption demand abroad eg: Geopolitical poly crisis, Supply chain disruption. (2) Increased local demand eg: Consignment of paddy exports stopped due to price hike at home. (3) Tariff and Non tariff barriers eg: tariff → on agri exports of India v/s US. Non tariff → Sanitory and phyto sanitori measures.

Measures Needed: (1) Tariff Shella committee recommendations for increasing export competitiveness and market distribution. (2) Focus on Food processing sector to increase value addition. (3) Crop diversification towards horticulture fisheries etc. to improve value of exports. (4) Strengthen capacity of APEDA to increase exports. (5) WTO evaluation for better trade negotiation along with FTAs support of Indian agriculture. All these would help in increasing agri exports towards doubling farmers income as the path USHA Bharat goes through the forms of Agroinfra - PM.

— Ayush Pathak · AIR 215