India's agri export will not be impacted by drought: APEDA

India's export of major agricultural products, which registered nearly 25 per cent growth in 2008-09, will not be impacted by the drought, a senior government official said.

The export of more than 100 agricultural and processed food items have increased by 24.43 per cent to Rs 39,461 crore in 2008-09 from Rs 31,712 crore in the previous year due to substantial growth in fresh fruits and vegetables, meat products and processed foods, government's agri-export promotion body APEDA Chairman Asit Tripathy said here today.

Tripathy said the performance of agricultural products in the country's overall export is "very satisfactory" as many other sectors faced a downturn due to the global recession.

He is hopeful that agricultural export will not be hit adversely due to drought in many parts of the country this year. Basmati-rice areas do not have problems as farmers use under-ground water and other sources, while fresh fruits and vegetables have assured irrigation facilities, he said, adding that processed foods may even perform better.

The Basmati-rice areas have increased this year, the APEDA Chairman said, but the quantum of the rise would be available after the second round of satellite survey. APEDA hires a consultant every year to conduct a satellite survey of areas under Basmati rice.