SKUAST-K Experts Discuss J&K's First Agri Export-Import Policy

On Tuesday, the third session of the UT-level Apex Committee on 'Export Promotion Policy for agriculture commodities in Jammu and Kashmir' ended at the Shalimar campus of the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology.

The Apex Committee and Technical Working Groups recently held a two-day meeting, which was led by Prof Ashok Dalwai, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Rainfed Area Authority.

The meeting was attended by several notable individuals, including Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary of the Agriculture Production Department, Prof Nazir A Ganai, Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-K, Dr. Prabhat Kumar, Horticulture Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, GoI, Dr. JP Sharma, Former Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-J, Dr. HS Gupta, Former Director of IARI, and Vinita Sudanshu, Deputy General Manager of APEDA, as well as Deans, Directors of SKUAST-K, Directors of Line Departments, Chairmen of Technical Working Groups, and other officers of the APD. Some of the members of the Apex Committee attended the meeting virtually.

During the two-day meeting, experts discussed the first Export-Import Policy for J&K, as well as a variety of strategic and operational measures that could transform J&K into a net exporter of agricultural commodities through policy support and global value chain integration.

The committee recognized the distinct advantage of J&K's niche agricultural products and believed that there was a strong need for market orientation to establish robust domestic and global value chains connecting farm gates to demand centers in both national and international markets. Market orientation involves increasing production volumes to generate marketable surpluses.

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The proposed policy has two main goals. The first one is to boost agricultural exports from Rs 190 crore in 2022-23 to Rs 1500 crore by 2029-30. The second objective is to replace the import of various agricultural products with locally produced ones, leveraging J&K's unique advantages in this sector.

The experts suggest that these goals can be achieved by capitalizing on the inherent advantages of the Union Territory, enhancing its competitiveness by addressing existing challenges and shortcomings, diversifying its export basket, and increasing high-value and value-added agricultural exports. Additionally, promoting the "Brand JK" for its uniqueness and quality, targeting GI Products of JK for export, ensuring food safety and quality, and harmonizing with the standards applicable in the various destination markets are essential.

The policy also aims to foster trade partnerships and focus on training and capacity building of farmers for Good Agricultural Practices and youth for export-oriented agri-entrepreneurship.

During the committee meeting, several significant operational strategies were discussed, including the establishment of a nodal export promotion agency to provide market intelligence, the development of an export-oriented incubation center, the creation of a specialized industrial estate park for Agri-Startups, a cluster-based approach to boost exports, the implementation of sea protocols for apple exports, the construction of dry ports equipped with all logistics facilities, and the establishment of a globally accredited certification agency.

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The proposed policy has two main goals. The first one is to boost agricultural exports from Rs 190 crore in 2022-23 to Rs 1500 crore by 2029-30. The second objective is to replace the import of various agricultural products with locally produced ones, leveraging J&K's unique advantages in this sector.

The experts suggest that these goals can be achieved by capitalizing on the inherent advantages of the Union Territory, enhancing its competitiveness by addressing existing challenges and shortcomings, diversifying its export basket, and increasing high-value and value-added agricultural exports. Additionally, promoting the "Brand JK" for its uniqueness and quality, targeting GI Products of JK for export, ensuring food safety and quality, and harmonizing with the standards applicable in the various destination markets are essential.

The policy also aims to foster trade partnerships and focus on training and capacity building of farmers for Good Agricultural Practices and youth for export-oriented agri-entrepreneurship.

During the committee meeting, several significant operational strategies were discussed, including the establishment of a nodal export promotion agency to provide market intelligence, the development of an export-oriented incubation center, the creation of a specialized industrial estate park for Agri-Startups, a cluster-based approach to boost exports, the implementation of sea protocols for apple exports, the construction of dry ports equipped with all logistics facilities, and the establishment of a globally accredited certification agency.

-Greater Kashmir 

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