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Key Points

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has directed India's Plantation Boards to aggressively expand exports of key commodities. He emphasized using Free Trade Agreements and promoting value-added products to increase market reach. The minister called for establishing Bharat Pavilions at international fairs to collectively showcase Indian products. Goyal also stressed the importance of supporting growers through welfare schemes and skilling programs.

Key Points: Piyush Goyal Directs Plantation Boards to Boost Exports and Brand India

  • Expand exports through market diversification and Free Trade Agreements
  • Promote value-added products and maintain high quality standards
  • Establish Bharat Pavilion at international fairs to showcase products
  • Ensure welfare of growers and workers through skilling programs
2 min read

Piyush Goyal tells Plantation Boards to step up exports drive

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal urges Plantation Boards to expand exports of tea, coffee, spices, rubber, and turmeric through FTAs, value addition, and quality standards.

"promote brand ‘India’ by the boards in collaboration with the India Brand Equity Foundation - Piyush Goyal"

New Delhi, Aug 22

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Friday asked the top officials of the country’s Plantation Boards to expand export opportunities for spices, tea, rubber, coffee, and turmeric through market diversification, promotion of value-added products, maintenance of quality standards, and optimum utilisation of the benefits available to India under various Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).

At a review of the functioning of the Plantation Boards under the Department of Commerce – the Spices Board, the Tea Board, the Rubber Board, the Coffee Board, and the Turmeric Board, the minister emphasised on the promotion of brand ‘India’ by the boards in collaboration with the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), with each contributing equally. Senior officers of the Department of Commerce and the respective Boards were present at the meeting.

He also suggested the establishment of a ‘Bharat Pavilion’ in all major international and domestic fairs to enable the Boards to collectively showcase their products. The minister also directed that all Boards should promote their Geographical Indication (GI) products with ‘India’ incorporated as part of their logo.

Goyal urged the Boards to ensure the welfare of growers, workers and their families through existing schemes. He underlined the need for skilling programmes for them and directed the Boards to coordinate with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in this regard. He expressed satisfaction that capacity building and training programmes were already being undertaken to promote good agricultural practices, quality, and organic production. He further emphasised that all stakeholders of the Boards should be supported through ease-of-doing-business measures, sensitisation, and outreach programmes.

The minister also called upon the Boards to explore the creation of a common incubation centre, on the lines of the Atal Innovation Mission, to encourage research, innovation and start-ups.

India's key plantation exports, including tea, coffee, spices, and tobacco, collectively reached a record $9.16 billion in FY25 (April 2024–March 2025). This strong growth was led by a 40.3 per cent jump in coffee exports and a 36.6 per cent increase in tobacco exports, with spices and tea also showing moderate growth. These plantation crops constitute a significant portion of India's total agricultural exports, highlighting their importance to the Indian economy.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Hope this translates to better prices for our farmers. They work so hard but often don't get fair compensation. The welfare schemes need proper implementation at ground level.
M
Michael C
As someone in the export business, I appreciate the focus on FTAs. India has great potential but we need to compete with countries like Vietnam and Sri Lanka who are very aggressive in marketing.
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Ananya R
Value-added products is the way to go! Instead of just exporting raw materials, we should focus on processed goods. Darjeeling tea and Malabar spices deserve premium branding ✨
S
Suresh O
The common incubation centre idea is forward-thinking. Innovation in agriculture is much needed. Hope they involve young entrepreneurs and tech startups in this mission.
N
Neha E
While the export numbers look good, I hope quality standards are maintained. Some exporters compromise on quality for quick profits, which hurts India's reputation in the long run.

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