The Uttar Pradesh government has announced the UP Agriculture Export Promotion Policy, 2019 to make the state a destination for agricultural exports and to double the income of farmers.

The new policy aims at increasing agricultural exports to Rs 17,591 crore by 2024 and meet the target of doubling the income of farmers.

The decision to bring about the new policy was approved by the state Cabinet.

State government spokesperson Shrikant Sharma said in Lucknow on Wednesday that the policy gave encouraging incentives to farmers and dealt with marketing and other aspects to increase agricultural exports from the state.

“The main aim of the policy is to increase the income of farmers,” he said.

At present, UP exports potato to Nepal and other countries while mango and rice are being exported to some Gulf countries.

Principal Secretary (Agriculture) Amrit Mohan said the new policy gave incentives up to Rs 10 lakh to a farmer beside promoting contractual farming.

“The policy proposes farming in a cluster with  50 to 100 hectares where crop would be produced as per requirement of foreign countries where it will be exported. The incentives would be given for five years for exporting at least 30 per cent of the produce,” Mohan said.

Besides, new food processing industries would be set up near these clusters, where incentives would also be given for exporting 40 per cent of the produce.

The incentives include Rs 10 per kilogram of produce exported by air and Rs 5 per kg for exports through ships.

Mohan said that there would be three committees to look into grievances and problems of the farmers and entrepreneurs under this policy.

The government would also provide further incentives to production units for engaging people.