Lucknow: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated on Wednesday that India has already achieved sufficient agricultural production and must now concentrate on processing, branding, and exports to emerge as the “food basket of the world.”
Interaction Under Fruit Horizon 2026
Addressing exporters, entrepreneurs, scientists, and stakeholders during an interaction organized under “Fruit Horizon 2026” at a Lucknow hotel in Gomtinagar, the Union minister emphasized the need to strengthen India’s horticulture and fruit export ecosystem through innovation, quality enhancement, and better supply chains.
Chouhan, who is on a two-day visit to Lucknow, held extensive discussions with progressive exporters, directors, and industry representatives on issues related to fruit exports, including global competition, quality standards, logistics bottlenecks, and strengthening the supply chain.
Focus on Processing and Exports
He said that understanding and resolving ground-level challenges faced by farmers and exporters was crucial for expanding the fruit sector. “India has enough production capacity. Our next goal is to ensure proper processing, branding, and exports so that Indian produce reaches global markets in a stronger way,” he said.
The minister noted that exporters and farmers openly raised concerns related to research, GST, and freight costs during the interaction, adding that the government was seriously working on these issues. He also announced that a special team of scientists had been constituted to focus on research and innovation aimed at improving both production and quality standards.
Policy Reforms and International Markets
Highlighting the importance of policy reforms, Chouhan said changes in policy frameworks take time, but the government was moving in the right direction with sustained efforts. The meeting also focused on expanding international markets, identifying new export destinations, strengthening branding strategies, and ensuring better value realization for agricultural products.
Discussions were also held on increasing investment in the fruit sector and promoting food processing industries. The interaction served as a key bridge between policymaking and field-level experiences, officials said.
Main Event on May 7
The main ‘Fruit Horizon 2026’ programme will be held on May 7 at ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture in Rehmankhera, Lucknow. According to the schedule, the Union minister will interact with farmers, nursery operators, and stakeholders from the processing sector from 10 am onwards before the main session begins. Ministers in the Uttar Pradesh government, including Surya Pratap Shahi and Dinesh Pratap Singh, are also expected to participate in the event.
Key issues such as quality standards, exports, value addition, zero rejection mechanisms, and the role of FPOs, FPCs, and SHGs in the horticulture sector will be discussed during the session, with officials expressing hope that the initiative would open new opportunities for India’s fruit and horticulture industry.
