The Maharashtra government, along with APEDA, plans to set up over 18 clusters in the state for export of chemical residue-free vegetables and fruits. The District Collector would head the clusters. Preliminary work has already started in Sangli, Solapur and Nashik. The clusters will also ensure that agriculture products meet the phytosanitary norms of developed countries. Under the plan, it will assess the agri export capability of every district, and help create infrastructure such as warehouses, distribution centres, pack houses and quality testing facilities, said a report.
Maharashtra accounted for 65 per cent of the country’s fruit and 55 per cent of vegetable exports. Last year 2.5 lakh tonnes of grapes, worth about Rs 2,300 crore, about 50,000 tonnes of mangoes valued at Rs 406 crore and 67,000 tonnes of pomegranates worth Rs 688 crore were exported. Export of 15 lakh tonnes of onions earned Rs 3,500 crore.
