Udupi: In a bid to double the income of farmers, exports should be given top priority so that local produce can be sold in the global market. The officials of various departments of the Government, including Agriculture, should use their intellect to find innovation in this regard said Union Minister of State for Agriculture Shobha Karandlaje.
She was speaking after inaugurating an exporters’ conference and exhibition organised by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, Laghu Udyog Bharati – Karnataka, IMF Foundation, at Seshashayana Auditorium, Kidiyoor Hotel here on Friday October 14. She said, Harvesting of Marine products (fish) is done in large quantities in Coastal Karnataka. But the products are exported to foreign countries through neighbouring Kerala. At least in the PPP model, steps should be taken to export from the State itself, she noted.
She also said that a special conference should be held on value addition of marine products. Branding, processing and marketing of agricultural produce is essential to prevent farmer suicides. Many farmers don’t know how to create a market for their crops. We need to increase the exports so that there is a market system, she observed.
2023 is celebrated as the International Year of Millets, she said and added more awareness should be created among all about Siri Dhaanya.
