Cooperative institutions and horticultural exports in new trade regime

Developing countries like India should find potentiality in non- traditional exports at a time when growth in the traditional ones is foundering. At the same time, it deserves mention that the future growth in horticultural production in developing world mainly depend on future price mechanism and also on the import demand of these high value crops in various regions of the world. The production deficit of various regions in fruits and vegetables will act as engine of export growth of the same for developing nations. Import demand for fruits and vegetables has already been predicted to grow sharply in developed region of the world in the near future. This will lead to rise in export prices, especially for fruits. Production deficit of other countries and regions and a likelihood of rise in export prices of these high value crops may serve as a catalyst for significant expansion in the production of horticultural crops, particularly in developing world. India is expected to take advantage of this situation and cooperatives are likely to play a key role in shaping India’s exports. However, in order to exploit this situation cooperatives have to be developed as economically effective organizations, capable of meeting the challenges of the new, liberalized economic environment. Besides, they have to achieve full utilization of the existing infrastructural facilities with due emphasis on scaling up of the economy through expansion of production capacity and upgradation of technology.