Agrotechnology

Agriculture governance to face 21st century challenges in farming

3^rd International Conference on Agriculture & Horticulture

October 27-29, 2014 Hyderabad International Convention Centre, India

Devi Prasad Juvvadi

Keynote: Agrotechnol

Abstract:

India along with China enjoyed global supremacy in agriculture for centuries and colonial rule has sown seeds of deceleration of agriculture in the country. In recent years, the rate of growth of agricultural output and contribution to GDP is gradually declining in India, resulting in a crisis situation. The consequence of agricultural crisis is very vast and likely to adversely affect all the other sectors with food supply, food inflation, cost of living, health and nutrition, poverty, employment, labour market etc. Governance is defined as the way a system or organization is guided and steered. Good governance is an essential input for economic growth and sustainable development at all levels and within all sectors of administration and sections of society including agriculture and farmers. Agricultural Governance is concerned with augmentation of growth and development of agriculture and allied sectors and managing the processes through an effective functioning of institutions, the application of technology and scientific innovations, providing support services, the implementation of policies and adherence to acts and regulations. It has political, socio-economic and administrative dimensions. Political governance is the process of decision making to formulate agricultural growth policy whereas economic governance involves financial decisions that affect economic activities and their relationships with agricultural economy. Administrative governance deals with the implementation policy. In such a context, governance is not just about government. Governance is an issue of importance because of constant changes due to liberalization, privatization and globalization of agriculture. Agricultural Governance arrangements need to be continuously monitored and adapted to suit changing circumstances. Good governance in agriculture is important to formulate conducive policy environment and effectively implement policy agendas. Eight steps or mantras are identified for governance of agriculture and allied sectors in India that require multi pronged focus and they include; 1. Strengthening agricultural input delivery system 2. Rapidly expanding irrigation potential 3. Improving rural infrastructure 4. Improving education, research and development 5. Soil health and bridging yield gaps with existing technology 6. Use ICT and other technologies 7. Build capacities of farmers to face emerging challenges 8. Agri-Business and scalable farmer-industry partnerships Governance is the only remedy to face 21st century challenges in agriculture that makes agriculture profitable, sustainable and retain the farmers to continue with farming. This requires re-orienting and re-prioritizing existing procedures, schemes, subsidies etc. Finally to effectively capitalize the global competitive advantage, the policy makers and scientists have to work out short and long term strategies with regards to technology, disasters, climate change, market access opportunities, etc. and transform the sectors performance to achieve its true potential.