The Hindu Business Line : Agricultural exports

Our agricultural exports have increased substantially and reached a figure $6.03 billion in 2004-05 up from $5.4 billion during 2003-04, an increase of over 11 per cent.

There was a substantial increase in exports of rice, pulses, tobacco, spices, nuts and seeds, cashew, guar gum meal, castor oil and processed food items. Dairy products showed a record increase of 65 per cent over the previous year.

In a country where more than 50 per cent of the people are undernourished and 90 per cent of the women anaemic, should we be rejoicing at the increase in export earnings from agriculture?

The trade deficit, in spite of rising agriculture exports, comes to about $38 billion. (It was 15 billion in the previous year). Should we try to reduce the deficit a little by exporting life-giving agricultural items?

Instead, can we not reduce unnecessary luxury imports and save the food for the starving masses?

V. S. Venkatavaradan

Salem

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