Agricultural sector must grow by 4 per cent each year: ASSOCHAM study

16 Jun 2011 Evaluate

In a study on Second Green Revolution: Role in Transforming Indian Agriculture by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), it was pointed that India's population will touch 1.4 billion by 2020 and hence the agricultural sector must grow by 4 per cent each year to support this huge number.

“Indian agricultural sector needs to be revamped to meet future demand and nutritional security of this huge population. Next green revolution with a focus on holistic development of agri sector is imperative to support small, marginal farmers in sustaining their livelihood,” said Dilip Modi, president, Assocham.

The study has suggested Innovations in technology, investments in R&D and revamping of the PDS (Public Distribution System).It has further suggested that investments, particularly in research and development (R&D), would enhance agricultural growth by a great extent and provide over 50 per cent return in research and extension process.In its other suggestions, the report has stated that the cropping pattern also needed to undergo transformation and to ensure nutritionally- oriented cropping pattern and production technologies.

Investments in agricultural research and development process can be increased through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. A cost-sharing strategy can help minimize the financial woes of R&D in agri sector and encourage various stakeholders like local government, private sector to conduct agricultural research programs to inform and educate small-marginal, poor farmers about good production, says the study.

Such a mechanism would result in enhancing production of goods, services and technologies which cannot be produced alone by either of the sectors. PPP would effectively utilize global resources for development of sustainable agri system across India and good researchers for solving agricultural related problems, further points out the study.

In its action plan, Assocham will engage with various State governments to implement a 10-point Action Plan it has prepared to revolutionise agricultural sector in the country. It calls for a dedicated Agriculture Budget and a one-nation-one-market regime to encourage farmers. The chambers would emphasise on ‘Soil-to-crop-to-market’ in order increase productivity and marketability of farm produce.

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