In order to achieve the objectives of the Agriculture Export Policy, the government has identified clusters across the country for development of exports, said an official release on Wednesday.

In Maharashtra, six clusters have been identified for grapes, mango, pomegranate, banana, oranges and onion, the release added.

For successful implementation, FPO's and co-operatives should be linked with the farmers and exporters.  Required infrastructure needs to be provided in these clusters and use of latest technology in agriculture has to be adopted, it added.

Indian Institute of Packaging has been roped in for working on packaging standards for international marketsin order to increase the demand for the identified products, the release said.

Recently, the Commerce and Industry Minister, Suresh Prabhu, addressed a workshop with farmers in Pune. Commerce Secretary met Autonomous Bodies of Department of Commerce and gave further directions for implementation of the Policy.

State Governments have a very important role in implementation of the agri export policy. The main aim of the policy is to reach farmers at grass-root level and double their income for achieving the overall objective of the policy. 

In India, agriculture and horticulture production is around 600 million tonnes per year. About 30% of fresh horticulture produce goes waste and there is an urgent need to strengthen the supply chain to avoid the losses.