Exporters have been facing problems in the sampling method set by EU for peanut consignments. In this regard he requested Agricultural and Processed produces Export Development Authority (APEDA) to define a simpler procedure and present the same before Codex Alimentarius.

The only solution to India's problem of foreign debts was boosting exports by preparing the country to overcome global competition. With the foreign goods flooding the domestic markets, local commodities get piled up without any foreign outlet, Kotak told traders and exporters at the Association's 22nd annual general meeting held here on Thursday.

In the Union budget, importance had been given to agriculture and the country had to improve its exportsof agricultural products like oilseeds, he said.

To make the country's agricultural products competitive in the global market, it is essential to make goods competitive both quality and price wise, Kotak said.

Agriculture surplus for exports will have to come from improvement in productivity for which some measures like water management and crop management are imperative, he said.

Uncertain climatic conditions like lack of rains in the western region, had diminished the hopes of good winter crop and a proper and extensive water management was the need of the hour, Kotak said. Kotak said timely availability of water in Saurashtra and Kutch regions in Gujarat and Rajasthan was essential to improve the groundnut production and produce export quality groundnuts.

The country's groundnut productivity was much less than that of USA, China and Argentina, Kotak said.

To improve groundnut and sesame seed production, IOPEA had started a programme, under which an attempt was made to identify areas conducive forsafe farming by testing the soil and water collected from different areas, he said.