The scheme of Transport and Marketing Assistance (TMA) for Specified Agricultural Products was introduced as a means of providing assistance for the international component of freight and marketing of agricultural produce. The initiative is set to mitigate the drawback of higher transportation costs while exporting certain agricultural products, which results from transshipment. In addition to this, it would promote brand recognition for Indian agricultural products in the specified overseas markets. Notably, the scheme also finds its place in the Foreign Trade Policy of 2015-20.

Validity and Coverage
The scheme could be availed by exporters from the 1st March 2019 and is valid until the 31st of March 2021. It is extended to all exporters of eligible agricultural products who are duly registered with the concerned Export Promotion Council as per the Foreign Trade Policy. The assistance would be rendered as per the notified rates for the export of specific agricultural produce (as mentioned in HSN chapter 1-24) to permissible countries (specified on a frequent basis) and is only applicable if the payments for the same are received in Free Foreign Exchange through normal banking channels. Products not covered under this scheme include live animals, milk, cream, animal origin products, curd, buttermilk, rice, wheat, tobacco, garlic, etc.

Note : the scheme is only applicable for exports made through EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) ports. It also covers freight and marketing assistance for export by air and sea.