India must tap agri exports as food security gains prominence in an uncertain world, seek higher market access in FTAs: S Mahendra Dev

Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) S Mahendra Dev today said India needs to transition to export-led growth in agriculture given the paramount importance of food production amid the geopolitical disruptions. He also said India must seek higher market access agriculture in the free trade agreement negotiations.

“On trade policy, we need to transition to export-led growth in agriculture. And India is exceptionally well placed here because of the heightened importance of food production in a more uncertain world together with our vast diversity of agro-climatic conditions,” Dev said while addressing Krishi Vikram 2026, by Indian Chamber of Commerce.

Dev pointed out that since India has been signing free trade agreements and multiple more are in the pipeline, it can seek higher market access of its farm products. He also called for tackling the non-tariff barrier challenge.

“We must tackle the non-tariff barriers, like the sanitary and technical measures that increasingly decide the standards. Europe, for example, has multiple standards. We must know how to keep up with those standards for exports,” Dev added.  

Dev also called for enhanced usage of gene technology to enhance the yield and AI to project market demand and supply. “The second issue is technology and the enabling policies for its adoption. India is adopting gene editing technology. We all know that gene editing gives a lot of increase in yields. Also increase in R&D expenditure in agriculture is important, both from the government and in the industry point of view,” he said.  

“As R&D gives the highest returns than any other investments,” he added.  

On the use of the digital technologies in agriculture, he said the last decade has delivered the real structural change. “Digital public infrastructure is shortening the value chains and putting evidence based advise at the farmers' disposal. It also encourages the youth join farming,” he said.

Drones”, mobile applications, and date-driven advisories are reaching the field. We have plot-level data now. Data, agri stack and satellite data can be used to reduce the fertiliser consumption as we now have plot level data,” he added.  

“All over the world AI is being used in agriculture. AI can help demand supply forecasting. Similarly, block chain technology based systems are particularly useful for high value crops and exports. Of course, the last mile spread of technology is important as we have to reach all the sections of the society,” he added.