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Phytosanitary certification challenges in agricultural exports

Source:The Hindu ↗

কেন এটি গুরুত্বপূর্ণ

Phytosanitary certification and integrated logistics are pivotal for expanding India's agricultural footprint globally while ensuring quality control and regulatory compliance, directly aligning with GS3 syllabus topics on agriculture, marketing, and supply chain infrastructure.

সারসংক্ষেপ

The Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) chief highlighted systemic malpractices within phytosanitary certification processes and advocated for integrated logistics to boost India's agricultural exports. The article underlines the critical need for transparent supply chains, quality compliance, and robust warehousing infrastructure to overcome barriers in global agri-trade.

মূল বিষয়

  • The Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) chief has flagged malpractices in phytosanitary certification, which acts as a key hurdle for agricultural exports.
  • Integrated logistics and modern warehousing have been pitched as vital solutions to streamline the agricultural supply chain and reduce export bottlenecks.
  • Addressing quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and transparent certification is critical for India to scale up its agri-food exports globally.

গুরুত্বপূর্ণ শব্দ

Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC)

A statutory body under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, established in 1957 to provide scientific warehousing facilities for agricultural commodities and logistics support to minimize post-harvest losses.

UPSC context

UPSC GS Paper III (Agriculture & Economy): Tests institutional roles in agricultural marketing, warehousing infrastructure, and food security management.

Source
Phytosanitary Certification

Official documents issued by a National Plant Protection Organization to certify that plant-based consignments meet international health, safety, and pest-free requirements of importing countries.

UPSC context

UPSC GS Paper III (International Trade & Agriculture): Crucial for understanding Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures and non-tariff export barriers.

Source
Integrated Logistics

A holistic supply-chain framework linking multi-modal transport networks, modern warehousing, and digital single-window systems to minimize transit costs and post-harvest losses.

UPSC context

UPSC GS Paper III (Infrastructure & Economy): Tests understanding of the National Logistics Policy, PM Gati Shakti, and export competitiveness.

Source

প্রিলিমস ফাঁদ

Phytosanitary certification is exclusively managed by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry through FSSAI.

Aspirants may assume phytosanitary certificates are issued by the Ministry of Commerce or FSSAI, whereas they fall under the purview of plant quarantine authorities (NPPO) aligned with international standards.

সংযুক্ত স্থির ধারণা

Economy Agriculture and Infrastructure

What are the key institutional mechanisms governing agricultural exports and food safety in India?

  • CWC Mandate: Statutory body under Ministry of Consumer Affairs, providing scientific warehousing and logistics support for agricultural produce.
  • FSSAI Role: Apex food regulator under Ministry of Health, responsible for setting science-based standards and regulating manufacture, storage, and sale.
  • EIA / Export Inspection Council: Mandatory inspection and certification agency for agricultural products under the Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963.

আন্তঃবিষয় প্যাটার্ন

  • Phytosanitary Certification & WTO SPS Agreement

    Non-tariff barriers like SPS/TBT certification hurdles frequently trigger WTO disputes and bilateral market access negotiations (e.g., India-EU Free Trade Agreement talks).

  • CWC Warehousing & PM GatiShakti Integration

    Modernizing supply chains requires converging CWC warehousing with PM GatiShakti multi-modal connectivity terminals to lower logistics costs below global benchmarks.

Expect statement-based questions combining SPS certification mandates, CWC statutory powers, and WTO trade facilitation norms.

সংযুক্ত PYQ · 2

সংযুক্ত PYQ · 2

  • 2025MainsGS3

    Elaborate the scope and significance of supply chain management of agricultural commodities in India.

  • 2020MainsGS3

    What are the main constraints in transport and marketing of agricultural produce in India?