India's First Integrated Agri-Export Facility to Boost Farm Produce Exports
- Wed, 7 August 2024
In a significant move to enhance India's agricultural exports, the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, has approved a Rs. 284.19 crore project for an integrated agri-export facility at Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPA). This state-of-the-art facility, spanning 67,422 square meters, aims to revolutionize the logistics and handling of agricultural commodities.This agri-export facility will serve as a one-stop solution for processing, storage, and export of key agricultural products such as non-basmati rice, maize,spices, onions, and wheat. By streamlining the export process and reducing wastage, the facility is expected to improve farmers' income and boost India's position as a global agricultural exporter."This initiative is a major step towards empowering our farmers and boosting India's agricultural sector,"said Minister Sonowal. "The facility will create jobs, improve the pricing of agricultural goods, and contribute to overall rural development."Apart from the agricultural facility, the government is also investing heavily in port infrastructure. The Vadhavan Port, a mega-project worth Rs. 76,220 crore, is under construction in Maharashtra. Once completed, it will be one of the world's largest ports, further strengthening India's maritime trade capabilities.The JNPA, already India's busiest container port, is transforming to become a global trade hub. With the new agri-export facility, the port is poised to play a crucial role in India's agricultural export story.The project is expected to generate significant employment opportunities in the processing, logistics, and export sectors. Additionally, it will benefit small exporters by providing them with access to modern infrastructure and efficient logistics solutions.