Why Indian Farmers struggle to Export?

  •   Wed, Oct 22 2025
  •   By Ethan Pinto

October 22, 2025

When you think about India, the first image that comes to mind is of green fields, hardworking farmers, and the smell of fresh soil after rain. Agriculture is not just our biggest occupation — it is a part of who we are. Yet, when it comes to selling our agricultural products to the world, India still lags behind. Despite being one of the largest producers of fruits, spices, grains, and plantation crops, our share in global agricultural exports is far smaller than it could be.

This gap is not because our farmers lack effort or quality. It’s because the systems that support them have not kept pace with global needs. As someone from Mangalore — from the heart of Dakshina Kannada, where farming is a way of life — I often wonder why the hardworking people in our taluks like Puttur, Sullia, Bantwal, and Belthangady are still not getting the global recognition or income they deserve.

Let’s take a simple example. India grows everything the world needs — rice, spices, cashew, coffee, tea, coconut, sugarcane, arecanut, and much more. We have the soil, the sunshine, and the manpower. But the problem begins after the harvest. Farmers know how to grow crops, but not how to export them. Most small farmers have no idea about international markets, paperwork, or certification. Even if they do, the process of exporting is so complicated that it discourages them.

For instance, getting a product ready for export means dealing with dozens of steps — from packaging and quality testing to transport, customs clearance, and export licenses. Large companies can handle this easily, but small farmers from our villages simply cannot. They end up selling their produce to middlemen for a fraction of what they could earn abroad. So while the world buys Indian tea, coffee, and spices, the actual farmers who grow them see only a small share of that money.

Now, think about arecanut — the most important cash crop of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. From Beltangady to Puttur, thousands of families depend on it. The crop pays for education, weddings, and homes. But diseases like Kole Roga, rising input costs, and price fluctuations have made it risky. If India could open larger export channels for arecanut to nearby markets like Sri Lanka, Thailand, and parts of Africa, it could transform the lives of farmers in this region.

There is potential. The demand for arecanut and its by-products exists globally, but India has not invested enough in processing, branding, or marketing it internationally. Instead of selling it raw, we could export processed or value-added forms — like areca plates, supari mixes, or eco-friendly materials derived from the nut and its leaves. That would bring better prices and create jobs locally.

The same applies to other crops. Take coconut, pepper, or cashew — all produced in the coastal belt. India is still not among the top exporters of these products, even though our quality is world-class. The missing link is the lack of farmer-level support: export training, cooperatives, proper storage, and logistics infrastructure. A farmer in Bantwal cannot send his cashew directly to Dubai even if there’s demand — because the system does not make it simple for him.

Government schemes for export promotion exist, but many farmers in smaller districts have never even heard of them. Institutions need to work closer to the ground. Export awareness programs should reach taluk levels. If farmers knew how to register for export licenses, connect with buyers online, and handle quality testing, it would change everything.

At the same time, our ports — like the New Mangalore Port — can play a big role. Most of the export traffic here comes from large companies. Why not have dedicated centers or units to support small agricultural exporters? Even a small office that helps farmers complete paperwork or connect them with exporters could make a big difference.

The world today is looking for new agricultural suppliers. Many countries want natural, chemical-free products. India has that potential in abundance — but we need to package it better. Imagine if products like arecanut, pepper, and cashew from Dakshina Kannada were known worldwide like Darjeeling tea or Thai rice. It would not only bring foreign exchange to the country but also restore the pride and prosperity of our farmers.

As a 16-year-old student watching all this from close quarters, I often feel that the future of India’s economy still lies in its fields — not just in big cities or tech hubs. If our farmers can export directly, earn fair prices, and see the world value their work, then agriculture will not be seen as a struggle but as a business full of opportunity.

India has already come a long way in agriculture. The next big step is to connect our farms to the world. That journey starts with better awareness, simpler rules, and a little more faith in our farmers’ ability to grow not just for India — but for the world.

 

 

 

 
By Ethan Pinto
Ethan Pinto is a student of St. Aloysius PU College, Mangaluru. He writes articles that shed light on the challenges faced by Indian farmers and explores ideas to support their growth and livelihoods.
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