New Delhi [India], In a pre-budget meeting with Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman, the Kisan lobby advocated lifting the ban on exports of various agricultural products.
Representatives of farmers associations and agricultural economists met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi today ahead of the upcoming General Budget 2024-25.
During the two-hour consultation meeting, which was also attended by Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, Finance Secretary and senior officials of the Agriculture Ministry, the farmers lobby called for immediate lifting of the bans. on all agricultural products.
MJ Khan, president of the Indian Chambers of Food and Agriculture, highlighted the need to lift export bans.
"Our share in agricultural exports is only 2 per cent in global agricultural exports. Due to ban on some agricultural products, our exports have fallen. India faces a cut of $4 billion in agricultural exports due to restrictions trade on commodities like wheat, rice, and sugar. We need to avoid knee-jerk reactions and focus on creating export hubs," he said.
Agricultural economist and ICRIER distinguished professor Ashok Gulati highlighted the surplus rice stocks held by the Food Corporation of India (FCI), suggesting that priority should be given to opening up rice exports. He also highlighted the need to immediately lift the ban on onion exports.
Badri Narain Chaudhary, president of Bhartiya Kisan Sangh, called for a long-term agricultural policy and better data collection in the agricultural sector.
"We don't have any agricultural policy. The government should start collecting data on the agricultural sector," he said.
According to the Agricultural and Processed Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), there has been a notable 9 per cent drop in exports under its purview.
The export bans undertaken by the Government of India aim to balance affordability for the consumer and support the agricultural industry amid rising retail prices.
Compelled by the rise in retail prices of key agricultural products such as rice, wheat, sugar and onion, the government implemented measures to curb the upward trend.
In a key measure taken in July 2023, exports of all white rice other than basmati were banned to address concerns related to rising prices.
Additionally, a 20 percent duty on parboiled rice exports was introduced, initially until October 2023. Recognizing the continued need for stabilization, this duty was extended until March 2024.
These interventions were designed to strike a balance between ensuring affordability for consumers and supporting the agricultural industry.
Representatives of farmers associations and agricultural economists met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi today ahead of the upcoming General Budget 2024-25.
During the two-hour consultation meeting, which was also attended by Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, Finance Secretary and senior officials of the Agriculture Ministry, the farmers lobby called for immediate lifting of the bans. on all agricultural products.
MJ Khan, president of the Indian Chambers of Food and Agriculture, highlighted the need to lift export bans.
"Our share in agricultural exports is only 2 per cent in global agricultural exports. Due to ban on some agricultural products, our exports have fallen. India faces a cut of $4 billion in agricultural exports due to restrictions trade on commodities like wheat, rice, and sugar. We need to avoid knee-jerk reactions and focus on creating export hubs," he said.
Agricultural economist and ICRIER distinguished professor Ashok Gulati highlighted the surplus rice stocks held by the Food Corporation of India (FCI), suggesting that priority should be given to opening up rice exports. He also highlighted the need to immediately lift the ban on onion exports.
Badri Narain Chaudhary, president of Bhartiya Kisan Sangh, called for a long-term agricultural policy and better data collection in the agricultural sector.
"We don't have any agricultural policy. The government should start collecting data on the agricultural sector," he said.
According to the Agricultural and Processed Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), there has been a notable 9 per cent drop in exports under its purview.
The export bans undertaken by the Government of India aim to balance affordability for the consumer and support the agricultural industry amid rising retail prices.
Compelled by the rise in retail prices of key agricultural products such as rice, wheat, sugar and onion, the government implemented measures to curb the upward trend.
In a key measure taken in July 2023, exports of all white rice other than basmati were banned to address concerns related to rising prices.
Additionally, a 20 percent duty on parboiled rice exports was introduced, initially until October 2023. Recognizing the continued need for stabilization, this duty was extended until March 2024.
These interventions were designed to strike a balance between ensuring affordability for consumers and supporting the agricultural industry.
