Tripathy added that APEDA was embarking on an end-to-end farming for exports.

'We are working on end-to end solutions in clusterised areas,' he said, pointing out that it would not be practical to implement the scheme across the length and breadth of the country at once.

'One area we are working on is horticulture, which is worth Rs.5,000 crore. We are financing research and development projects in those clusters,' Tripathy said.

Stating that the need of the hour is to develop end-to-end solutions, he said: 'We have to ensure that the product is not only produced, but also processed. Then, the cost of transportation from the factory to the ports and airports has to be cheap.'

'So we are working on improving ICDs (inland container depots), cold chain integration and deeper vans. We have almost completed building centres for perishable commodities (CPCs) in all major airports in the country.'

Director-General of Foreign Trade R.S. Gujral, who was also present, said the government has to be flexible in its agri-products policies as it has to maintain a fine balance between the farmers and consumers.

'The government has given the largest incentives to agri-products in the last five years,' he said.

Monday's one-day workshop is being attended by all major stakeholders of the agri exports sector. Separate sessions are being organised on processed foods, fresh produce, livestock products and agri commodities.