Drought won't impact India's agri export: APEDA

India's export of major agricultural products, which registered nearly 25 per cent growth in 2008-09, will not be impacted by the drought, a senior government official said.

The export of more than 100 agricultural and processed food items have increased by 24.43 per cent to Rs 39,461 crore (Rs 394.61 billion) in 2008-09 from Rs 31,712 crore (Rs 317.12 billion) in the previous year due to substantial growth in fresh fruits and vegetables, meat products and processed foods, government's agri-export promotion body APEDA chairman Asit Tripathy said in New Delhi on Monday.

Tripathy said the performance of agricultural products in the country's overall export is 'very satisfactory' as many other sectors faced a downturn because of the global recession.

He is hopeful that agricultural export will not be hit adversely because of drought in many parts of the country this year. Basmati-rice areas do not have problems as farmers use under-ground water and other sources, while fresh fruits and vegetables have assured irrigation facilities, he said, adding that processed foods may even perform better.

The Basmati-rice areas have increased this year, the APEDA chairman said, but the quantum of the rise would be available after the second round of satellite survey. APEDA hires a consultant every year to conduct a satellite survey of areas under Basmati rice.