India fruit and vegetable exports: Chouhan urges quality, logistics, and processing upgrades

Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said India needed to raise exports of fruits and vegetables. Chouhan linked higher exports with better farm income, more jobs, and foreign exchange. Chouhan said this required improved quality, longer shelf life, cheaper logistics, and stronger processing facilities. Chouhan spoke during a two-day Fruit Horizon 2026 programme at CISH in Lucknow.

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Chouhan said India could not stay focused only on output from farms. Chouhan said the full chain needed attention, from production to global sales. "Farming can no longer remain limited to the fields. It is now necessary to strengthen the complete value chain from production to processing, marketing and exports,\" Chouhan said, according to an official statement.

India fruits and vegetables exports plan and value chain

Chouhan said the government wanted Indian fruits and vegetables to gain a stronger foothold overseas. \"If exports of our fruits and vegetables increase, farmers incomes will rise, foreign exchange earnings will grow, and employment opportunities will expand,\" Chouhan said. Chouhan added that meeting international norms during shipment would be a key priority.

Chouhan said India produced 1,129.8 lakh metric tonnes of fruits each year. Chouhan said nearly 71 lakh hectares were under fruit cultivation. Chouhan said India led in mangoes, bananas, pomegranates, litchis and grapes. \"The quantity and quality of mangoes we produce are unmatched in the world, but our exports are still quite low,\" Chouhan said.

Chouhan said export success depended on quality, shelf life, and handling standards. Chouhan said the focus would be on maintaining quality during exports. Chouhan said India must aim for zero rejection in overseas markets. Chouhan said practical SOPs, pack houses, and processing units were needed.

India fruits and vegetables exports task force and standards

Chouhan said a task force would be set up for time-bound action. Chouhan said it would include ICAR scientific institutions, exporters, APEDA and other agencies. Chouhan said the group would address issues faced by producers and exporters. Chouhan said the aim was to raise farmers income through stronger exports.

Chouhan said the government decided to strengthen Uttar Pradesh under the Clean Planting Material Programme. A modern clean plant centre was being set up at CISH, Lucknow. The centre was meant to prepare and conserve disease-free, genetically pure planting material. Crops included mango, guava, litchi and avocado.

India fruits and vegetables exports infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh

Chouhan said FPOs, FPCs and self-help groups were important for linking small farmers to markets. Chouhan cited export-oriented clusters supported by the National Horticulture Board. Chouhan said projects linked to Jewar airport would help exports. These included radiation and integrated post-harvest facilities in Uttar Pradesh.

Chouhan referred to concerns raised by litchi growers during the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan. Chouhan said growers reported litchi perished within two to four days. \"We took this issue seriously and formed special ICAR teams to work on increasing the shelf life of every fruit crop,\" Chouhan said. Chouhan said better shelf life could reduce distress sales.

Chouhan said horticulture research teams extended mango shelf life to 25-30 days. Chouhan said longer storage could help farmers hold produce and get improved prices. Chouhan also said many orchards were 50 to 100 years old. Chouhan said these orchards needed rejuvenation and modern methods.

Chouhan said techniques like bagging needed wider use in orchards. Chouhan said bagging protected fruits from insects, flies and black spots. Chouhan said scientific teams were also working on protection from adverse weather. Chouhan said modern post-harvest management supported reliable exports.

Chouhan said lowering logistics costs could raise profits for farmers and support exporters. Chouhan said trade access depended on each country’s rules. \"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has signed several important agreements and FTAs with different countries. Different nations open their markets according to their own regulations, and our efforts in this direction are continuing,\" Chouhan said.

Chouhan said India aimed to meet local demand and also reach global markets. Chouhan said Indian fruits needed wider acceptance abroad through better systems. Uttar Pradesh ministers Surya Pratap Shahi and Dinesh Pratap Singh attended the programme. Scientists, exporters, nursery operators, FPO representatives and fruit processing stakeholders were also present.

With inputs from PTI