Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath said on Saturday that India now must gear up for agricultural exports apart from export of manufactured goods and services.
Speaking at the National Conference on Foreign Trade Policy and Procedures organized by the Confederation of India Industry, the minister said that agriculture and farm products would be the thrust area for exports for the next three years.
Kamal Nath said agriculture still contributes 24% to the GDP, and it will have to contribute to our export growth in the coming years, if we are to wipe out our trade deficit.
The commerce minister also lashed out at the developed world, saying that the US and Europe are turning out to be the biggest protectionists in world trade, since "they are not globally competitive in almost anything."
The minister said that the government is now looking at setting up Food Parks with private participation.
He said the parks would have facilities for sorting and grading of agriculture produce for export, he pointed out.
"Interestingly investment in post harvest infrastructure in India has started with the entry of Indian companies in organised retail and will drive the growth in agriculture sector," the minister added.