Scale up exports of fruits, vegetables to raise farmers’ income: Min

Speaking at the two-day conference -- ‘Fruit Horizon 2026’ -- in Lucknow, Chouhan said the programme was organised with the objective of increasing fruit production, improving quality and strengthening food processing infrastructure.He said India was among the world’s leading producers of several fruits, especially mangoes, but the country’s export potential remains underutilised.“Whether it is mangoes, grapes, bananas or litchis, India is among the major producers. We produce mangoes in unmatched quantity and quality. However, our exports are still relatively low,” the minister said, stressing the need to increase the export potential.Chouhan asserted that govt wanted Indian fruits and vegetables to attain a larger presence in international markets.“If exports of our fruits and vegetables rise, farmers’ income will increase, employment opportunities will expand and the country will earn more foreign exchange,” he said.He added that govt was working towards resolving issues faced by farmers and exporters. While some challenges can be addressed immediately, others would require long-term research and policy support, he said.The event brought together farmers, exporters, food processors and institutions such as the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) on a common platform to discuss challenges facing the sector and explore solutions.