LUCKNOW, 15 May 2026: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has outlined an ambitious roadmap to position India among the world’s leading fruit-exporting nations, stressing that future growth must focus not only on production but also on quality, processing, shelf life, logistics, and international export standards.
Addressing the Fruit Horizon 2026 conference at ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture in Lucknow, the Minister said India’s agriculture sector must move beyond farm-level production and strengthen the complete value chain from cultivation to global markets.
“Production Alone Is No Longer Enough”
Speaking to farmers, exporters, horticulture experts, and industry stakeholders, Shri Chouhan emphasized that India’s global competitiveness in fruits will depend on delivering premium-quality produce aligned with international market requirements.
He highlighted the need for: Better fruit quality; Longer shelf life; Export-grade packaging; Stronger post-harvest infrastructure; International compliance standards; and Reduced rejection rates in overseas markets.
According to the Minister, agriculture must now integrate processing, marketing, logistics, and exports to increase farmer incomes and enhance India’s position in the global horticulture trade.
Task Force to Improve Farmer Income and Export Competitiveness
A major outcome of the conference was the decision to create a dedicated task force involving:
- ICAR scientific institutions
- Exporters
- Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
- Horticulture experts
- Industry stakeholders
The task force will prepare a time-bound action plan aimed at:
- Resolving export bottlenecks
- Supporting producers and exporters
- Improving market access
- Strengthening export infrastructure
- Enhancing farmer income
The initiative reflects the government’s increasing focus on export-oriented agriculture and value-added horticulture.
Clean Plant Mission to Strengthen Uttar Pradesh Horticulture
Shri Chouhan also announced that Uttar Pradesh will receive significant support under the government’s Clean Planting Material Program.
As part of the initiative, a modern Clean Plant Centre is being developed at ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture.
The centre will focus on producing and conserving:
- Disease-free planting material
- Genetically pure fruit saplings
- High-quality horticulture planting stock
The programme will initially support fruit crops including: Mango, Guava, Litchi and Avocado.
The initiative is expected to improve productivity, fruit quality, and export readiness while reducing disease-related losses.
India Targets “Zero Rejection” Fruit Exports
The Agriculture Minister stressed that India must focus on producing premium-quality fruits with “zero rejection” standards in global markets.
He noted that achieving this goal would require investments in:
- Modern pack houses
- Cold chain systems
- Processing units
- Irradiation facilities
- Export-oriented logistics
- Practical export SOPs
The government believes these improvements can significantly strengthen India’s horticulture exports while reducing post-harvest losses.
FPOs and Export Clusters to Play Key Role
The Minister highlighted the importance of:
- Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)
- Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs)
- Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
in connecting small farmers to better domestic and international markets.
The conference also discussed the development of export-oriented horticulture clusters by the National Horticulture Board.
Jewar Airport to Boost Agri Exports
The government indicated that export infrastructure linked to Noida International Airport will become a major catalyst for India’s fruit export ambitions.
Integrated post-harvest infrastructure and modern irradiation facilities near the airport are expected to:
- Reduce export turnaround time
- Improve freshness retention
- Strengthen global supply chains
- Increase export competitiveness
- Strong Participation from Horticulture Sector
The conference witnessed participation from:
- Farmers
- Scientists
- Exporters
- Nursery operators
- FPO representatives
- Fruit processors
- Agricultural institutions
Senior leaders from the Uttar Pradesh government, including Surya Pratap Shahi and Dinesh Pratap Singh, also attended the programme alongside scientists and officials from the horticulture sector.
India Eyes Stronger Position in Global Fruit Trade
With growing emphasis on quality-driven production, clean planting material, export infrastructure, and farmer collectivisation, the government aims to transform India into a major global supplier of premium fruits.
The roadmap outlined at Fruit Horizon 2026 signals a strategic shift toward export-oriented horticulture, higher farmer incomes, and globally competitive agricultural value chains.
