Agricultural Exports Up 17 Percent In April-February

Agricultural exports up 17 percent in April-February; encouraging the export of agricultural products despite the Corona epidemic.

Despite the Corona epidemic, the figures for exports of agricultural products in the last financial year have been encouraging.

According to data released by the Ministry of Agriculture on Wednesday, agricultural products worth Rs 2.74 lakh crore were exported during the 11 months (April to February) of the financial year 2020-21.

This was 16.88 percent more than Rs 2.31 lakh crore in the same period a year ago.

According to the ministry, imports of agriculture and related commodities also increased by three percent during the same period.

Imports increased from Rs 1,37,014 crore to Rs 1,41,034 crore between April and February. Despite Corona, the balance of trade in agriculture was in India’s favor.

Business surplus increased from Rs 93,907.76 crore to Rs 1,32,579.69 crore. The ministry said, ‘India has been in the position of trade surplus in the agriculture business for the last several years.

Even during this crisis of epidemic, India ensured that the supply chain in the world is not disrupted. The export of wheat in agricultural products showed a significant increase.

Wheat exports increased to Rs 3,283 crore from Rs 425 crore a year ago. During this time, the government agency NAFED also exported wheat to some countries on the basis of their special demand.

On the basis of the agreement reached between the governments, 50 thousand tons of wheat were sent to Afghanistan and 40 thousand tons to Lebanon.

Non-basmati rice exports rose by Rs 13,030 crore to Rs 30,277 crore. Several factors contributed to the increase in rice imports.

India has gained a foothold in many new markets such as Brazil, Chile, and Puerto Rico. Soymil’s exports rose to Rs 7,224 crore from Rs 3,087 crore.

Exports of spices, raw cotton, fresh and processed vegetables have also registered an increase. The total agricultural exports stood at Rs 2.52 lakh crore and imports stood at Rs 1.47 lakh crore during the entire financial year 2019-20.