Índia se reorienta
1 de outubro de 2009 Already agriculture is one of the most important sectors of the economy, contributing 18.5% of national income, about 15% of total exports and supporting two-thirds of the work force. And with recent developments, it is set to play a more dynamic role in the economy.
With its favorable climate conditions and rich natural resource base, India has become the world’s largest producer across a range of commodities. It is the largest producer of coconuts, mango, banana, milk and dairy products, cashew nuts, pulses, ginger, turmeric and black pepper, according to India’s Institute for International Trade. It is also the second largest producer of rice, wheat, sugar, cotton, fruits and vegetables. According to the US Department of Agriculture, India will register the highest increase in rice production — 16.3 million tonnes — globally in the next 10 years.
Simultaneously, with the changing lifestyle and dietary pattern of the consumers along with the increasing brand and variety consciousness of farmers, the demand for certified high-quality seeds has been growing rapidly. Already a billion-dollar industry, the Indian seed business is the eighth largest in the world and has been growing annually at 12% growth rate. Consequently, several transnational players like Bayer, DuPont, Monsanto, Syngenta and Advanta, among others, have been stepping up their operations in the country.
To aid imports, the government is likely to cut the import duty on rice to zero until September 2010. At presstime, the import tariff was 70% of imported value through September.
Sharad Pawar, agriculture minister for Food and Public Distribution, said he expects rice to decline about 10 million tonnes due to the country’s current drought.
Exports
Along with the impressive production growth rates, exports of agriculture and allied products have been increasing steadily. For example, India’s share in the world cotton trade has increased from 8% in 2005/06 to 12% in 2006-07. Further, the government has prepared a plan to increase India’s share in the processed food trade from the current 1.6% to 3% by 2015.
Commodity imports are expected to rise this year in the wake of India’s drought and the possibility that lower rainfall could hamper harvests. The move, announced by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, will help prevent rising prices, food inflation and shortages, he said, adding that the country has 13 months of foodstocks in reserve.
India’s non-basmati rice export ban is likely to stay in place in light of the growing conditions.
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