Hyderabad: Free trade agreements (FTAs) have created a major opportunity for southern states to expand agricultural exports, particularly in horticulture, and improve farmers’ incomes, Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Friday.He urged states to leverage the export potential of crops such as coconut, coffee, cashew and cocoa, while assuring them of the Centre’s full support.Addressing the south zonal agriculture conference in Hyderabad, Chouhan said South India has immense horticultural potential and can play a key role in boosting India’s agri-exports. He announced that the Centre would take forward a coconut promotion scheme for southern states, noting that coconut exports had risen from about ₹4,000 crore to ₹7,000 crore within a year.The minister also highlighted climate-related challenges facing agriculture in the region. While southern states were experiencing El Niño conditions, their impact varied across districts, he said. To address weather-related risks, the Centre has prepared district-wise contingency plans to mitigate crop losses and other disruptions.Chouhan outlined a six-point roadmap for the sector, focusing on increasing production and productivity, reducing cultivation costs, ensuring better prices for farmers, minimising losses due to natural calamities, promoting crop diversification and protecting soil health.Stressing the importance of diversification, he said India must reduce its dependence on imports, particularly of oilseeds. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana had taken notable initiatives in this area, he said.The minister also called for greater attention to soil conservation and natural farming practices, arguing that soil health must be protected for future generations. Food security for India’s 140 crore population should remain a national priority, he added, warning against excessive dependence on global supplies amid geopolitical uncertainties.‘Balance fertilizer use’Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the Centre was working on new Seed and Fertilizer Acts to strengthen regulation and protect farmers from fake and poor quality agricultural inputs. He noted that balanced fertilizer use and curbing spurious pesticides and fertilizers had emerged as key priorities. He also stressed the need for greater public research in agriculture.
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