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ICAR-National Research Centre for According to APEDA, India is the
Banana and APEDA in 2017. second-largest producer of fruits and
tHe water transPort vegetables, which are highly suitable
Similarly, the APEDA has tried to oPtion can Be for export. However, the processing
explore central Asia and other some considered for tHe level is not more than 10 percent.
South East Asian countries for It means India and its farmers are
markets for fruits from unexplored exPorts to countries losing precious opportunities of
regions of India. These included witH seaPorts, as earning foreign currency. Similarly,
chilies from Varanasi, chinia tHe freigHt cost India is a leading producer of fish,
bananas from Bihar, mandarin is six tiMes lower dairy, cereals, meat and poultry.
orange from Arunachal Pradesh, tHan tHat tHrougH However, the amount goes to the
pineapple from Tripura and banana export is quite low.
from Akola, Maharashtra. air transPort.
However, it May not There is a need to set up a
Many states or regions in India Be HelPful in tHe mechanism to synchronise
do not have proper post-harvest case of PerisHaBle production, processing and
management facilities and strong coMModities. exports to boost farm income and
transport connectivity, as well as the Indian economy alike. Thus,
farmers, lack awareness regarding strategic investment is required to
the opportunities and benefits of build the infrastructure related to
export. perishable items would remain transportation, storage, processing
intact but it would add substantially and thus creating momentum in the
Local governments are more focused to the final cost – thus making nation’s food export.
on providing farm inputs to farmers commodities vulnerable in the cost-
such as seeds, fertiliser for better competitive global market. Also, reforms in the APMC Act,
crop output. However, there is a need adopting innovative technology,
to divert attention towards creating The water transport option can streamlining the standards for food
post-harvest management facilities be considered for the exports to safety norms and harmonization
such as packaging, grading and countries with seaports, as the with international standards are
sorting – for making farmers aware freight cost is six times lower than among areas of key focus.
of the quality requirements and their that through air transport. However,
produce, particularly perishable it may not be helpful in the case of There are concerns about high tariff
items export-ready. perishable commodities. and duty rates, which often result in
the non-competitiveness of Indian
The challenge would be to transport In such cases, the food processing commodities. It needs to be revisited
export-oriented commodities from option can play a pivotal role as it as well.
the areas with poor connectivity has the capacity to ensure perishable
with the twin objectives of cost- items are quality controlled and not
effectiveness and fast delivery. wasted. The food processing sector
is still in the nascent stage and its * Author is Executive Director, Federation of
Air transport would ensure fast contribution to national GDP is less Seed Industry of India (FSII)
delivery so the freshness of than 2 percent.

Food Marketing & Technology 23 March 2020