Boosting India's Global Fruit Footprint: A Paradigm Shift

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasizes the need for increased fruit and vegetable exports to boost farmers' income and generate employment. Addressing the 'Fruit Horizon 2026' event, he highlighted India's leading position in fruit production and the necessity to expand international market reach.

Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan called for a substantial increase in India's fruit and vegetable exports to elevate farmers' income, create jobs, and boost foreign exchange earnings. Speaking at the 'Fruit Horizon 2026' event in Lucknow, he underscored the gathering's goals to enhance fruit production, quality, and processing infrastructure.

Chouhan expressed pride in India's status as a top producer of various fruits like mangoes and bananas, yet lamented the nation's lagging export figures. He emphasized the importance of penetrating larger international markets to benefit farmers and the economy.

The minister noted collaborative discussions among farmers, exporters, and institutions to tackle logistics, shelf life, and freight costs, underscoring ongoing and future research initiatives aimed at addressing these challenges.