Agro exports post 35% rise

Exports of agro and processed foods have increased by 35% to post a turnover of Rs 13,827.95 crore during 2002-03. The country’s share in global agro trade is only 1.2 per cent and this needs to be pushed up through aggressive marketing strategy, said commerce minister Arun Jaitley while presenting awards to exporters instituted by the Agricultural and Processed Foods Development Authority (Apeda) on Wednesday. He said, “We have to push aggressively in the world market. Agri exports can and should augment the income of farmers.” Jaitley said, “there is no level playing field between farmers of the developing countries and that of the developed countries. It is only for this fact the developing countries are struggling at the WTO negotiations to get a better deal.” (ENS)