Rajasthan government develops a strategy for promoting agricultural exports

A strategy for agricultural commodity value addition and export promotion has been developed by the Rajasthani government.

“The plan aims at offering sops to farmers engaged or are planning to enter this field. The government’s main aim is to attract investment in agro-processing along with value addition,” an agriculture department official said.

With a significant potential for processing and value addition, Rajasthan is one of the top producers of a variety of crops and animal products.

The state is a major producer of Isabgol, mustard, moth beans, bajra, and guar.

The state supplies more than 43% of the nation's total output of mustard and more than 70% of the nation's production of guar.

The official emphasized that under the Rajasthan Agro-Processing, Agri-Business, and Agri-Export Promotion Policy, 2019, farmers receive a 50% capital cost subsidy and non-farmers receive a 25% subsidy for the processing of agricultural products.

This capital subsidy has been increased by the government to 75% for farmers and 50% for non-farmers, respectively. The total grant amount is now Rs. 1.5 crore.

In addition, 10,000 farmers in Bharatpur, Shri Ganganagar, Alwar, Dholpur, and other districts will profit from beekeeping in the upcoming year. He stated that this would cost more than Rs 100 crore.

Tonk is the suggested location for the plan's center of excellence for apiculture. Additionally, in a few districts, like Jaipur, Sikar, and Alwar, among others, mini food parks will be built.