17-Jan-2019: Agri-Vision 2019, a two-day conference inaugurated
The Vice President of India, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu has called for introduction of structural changes through policy interventions to bring in a positive bias towards agriculture and make it resilient, sustainable and profitable.
Inaugurating Agri-Vision 2019, a two-day conference on ‘Envisioning Agro Solutions for Smart and Sustainable Agriculture’ at Hyderabad, he stressed the need for a concerted action from all stakeholders to find comprehensive, long-term solutions to the multiple challenges faced by the agriculture sector. Short-term measures like loan waiver would provide temporary relief and would not be beneficial to the farmer in the long run.
Expressing his concern over the tendency of farmers to leave agriculture, the vice President said that lack of favourable terms of trade, the vagaries of monsoon, technology not reaching farmers in time and absence of proper marketing system were some of the reasons for agrarian problems.
Pointing out that declining productivity, diminishing and degrading natural resources, rapidly growing demand for food, stagnating farm incomes, fragmented land holdings and unprecedented climate change were some of the major challenges confronting Indian agriculture, he said traditional farming would not be beneficial and the farmer needs to diversify into allied activities to ensure sustained income.
Observing that the growth of the agriculture sector was critically important for inclusive growth, Shri Naidu said that empowering the sector would not only reduce poverty but also helps in improving the livelihoods of lakhs of people connected to this vital sector. Agriculture sector accounts for 18 per cent of India’s GDP and provides employment to 50 per cent of the workforce of the country, he added.
The Vice President emphasized the need to accord top priority to farmer-oriented marketing, providing adequate cold storage facilities and refrigerator vans, focusing on food processing through value addition, extending timely and affordable credit to farmers and ensuring that innovations and technologies reach the farmers.
Shri Naidu urged researchers and farm experts to come out with solutions to the multi-dimensional problems faced by the farming sector. He called for united efforts by governments, scientific community, Krishi Vijayan Kendras and farmers to realize the ambitious goal of doubling farmers’ income by 2022.
The Vice President also suggested that students pursuing Agri courses must spend at least six months with farmers to have a firsthand understanding of the problems faced by the latter.
Observing that the use of digital technologies was essential to tackle climate change and make farming environmentally relevant and sustainable, he said digital technologies could help in countering vagaries in farming and optimizing the resources. He said that it was necessary to adopt the latest technologies from seeds to post harvest management to marketing and to improve productivity on par with the other leading nations.
He also emphasized the need for India to have its own home-grown food security as the country cannot depend on imported food security.
16-Nov-2018: 26th Conference of Central and State Organizations (COCSSO) held at Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh
The 26th edition of Central and State Statistical Organizations(COCSSO) Conference was organized by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) in collaboration with Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Government of Himachal Pradesh at Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh on 15th and 16th November, 2018.
COCSSO is an annual conference which provides a platform for the Central and State statisticians to exchange views and discuss common issues relating to statistical activities. The theme of the 26th Conference was “Quality Assurance in Official Statistics”.
A number of papers related to theme were presented by Central Ministries/Departments at the conference. These include- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Ministry of Labour and Employment etc. Various States/UTs, Directorate of Economics and Statistics also shared their experiences in this area. A number of recommendations were made during the conference on the issues of ensuing and enhancing quality of data brought out by Central and State Governments. The Conference also came out with a series of recommendations for strengthening the statistical system of the country.
24-Oct-2018: Global Agriculture Leadership Summit 2018
The Global Agriculture Leadership Summit 2018 opened in New Delhi. The theme of the 2-day summit is, 'Connecting Farmers to Market'. Inaugurating the summit, Secretary Agriculture and Co-operation Sanjay Agrawal said, several measures are being taken to double farmers' income by 2022. Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr. Agrawal said, good strategy, adequate resources and good governance will be crucial to achieve the target. Pioneer of India's green revolution Professor MS Swaminathan was also present on the occasion.
Even after decreased contribution to GDP, agriculture still continues as a major livelihood provider around the globe, especially in the developing world; and hence responsible for economic growth and social transformation. Mammoth work has been done in agriculture in the recent years on the part of the industry, NGOs, CGIAR bodies and institutions, supported by the Government and international organisations to transform the agriculture and allied sectors. The most significant development in the last one decade has been the emergence of large number of start-ups in food and agriculture, across the value chain spectrum, completing the chain from farm to fork. In India, the Government schemes like ACABC, Startup India, Standup India, Skilled India and launch of MUDRA Bank and such other initiatives have accelerated the value creation and entrepreneurship activities in the farm sector and connected the same to the markets and the consumers through innovative agribusiness models.
Connecting farmers effectively with trade, markets and value added activity holds the key to their prosperity. In this context, Government of India has launched eNAM to help in marketing and also the program towards doubling farmers' incomes by 2022. There is need for understanding and adopting successful global models and also fostering farmer-industry-institution partnerships towards helping farmers gradually transforming from farmer to farm entrepreneurs. The 11th Global Agriculture Summit 2018 aims to provide the platform towards facilitating farmers connect with the technologies, markets, industry, institutions and the Governmental programs. Indian Council of Food and Agriculture takes the opportunity to discuss the constraints and opportunities for a global momentum towards making agriculture high-tech, market linked and value added for best returns to farmers and to all stake-holders across the food value chain. This may require collective efforts, taking on board the Governments, inter-governmental organisations, trans-national corporations, industry, NGOs, FOs, financial and technology institutions for increased flow of knowledge, technologies, investments and market access. The national governments need to create enabling policy environment for effectively translating the potential of agriculture through agribusiness, and thus empowering farmers. Towards this end, ICFA is bringing together eminent personalities of Indian and global agriculture, food and agribusiness sectors on one platform on the event of 11th Global Agriculture Summit 2018. The experience will be combined with the presentation of 11th Global Leadership Awards and the launch of Agriculture Year Book 2018.
Important individuals and institutions, who played pivotal role in building new faiths and ambitions in agriculture will be acknowledged by the Global Leadership Awards 2018. On this occasion, ICFA and Agriculture Today will also release the Agriculture Year Book 2018 for an exhaustive appraisal of activities in food and agriculture round the year. It is must for everyone anyhow associated with food and agriculture via business, research, academics, media, farming, trade, development, policy making, implementation and any other medium across the globe to participate in this amalgamation of events.
OBJECTIVES:
- To discuss the national and global marketing scenario and success models to provide the best marketing models and linkages to Indian farmers through policy reforms and collaborative efforts.
- To discuss the marketing issues and challenges faced by farmers in India and globally, the issue of access and equity in trade and marketing and the emerging trends in agri value and supply chains.
- To discuss the policy, trade, and market perspectives to agriculture on national and global level and to address the issue by creating opportunities for farmers through agri startups and farmers organisations.
- To discuss the role of the States, industry and institutions towards promoting FPOs, agribusinesses, start-up ventures and value chain development to help farmers with better marketing options.
- To discuss the issue of climate change and food security, and the need for collective action through partnerships and the increased role of private sector in providing farmers market connects to increase farmers’ incomes.
Food and Agriculture sector is undergoing a rapid transformation in India and globally. The role of various stake-holders in driving the growth and value added transformation of farm sector is commendable. The institution of the Agriculture Leadership Awards in 2008 was a significant step in this direction to recognize the contributions of various stake-holders in agriculture. The Awards are given annually in different categories to those individuals and organizations, who have made outstanding contributions in their respective fields. The National Awards Committee is headed by the world renowned agriculture scientist, Prof. MS Swaminathan, with twenty six persons of national eminence as its members. The Leadership Awards shall be presented on 24th October, 2018 in New Delhi.