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Seminar discusses role of private sector in agro-marketing
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Wednesday, 25 February, 2009, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Mumbai
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While addressing the seminar on "Sustainable Agriculture through Technology, Practices and Partnerships" in New Delhi, TN Kumar, secretary of the department of Agriculture and Cooperation, said that that the private sector could help in improving the marketing infrastructure for agriculture produce, which is today a major area of concern for the government. Kumar, said, "An active participation is required from the private sector and non-government organisations to take technological advances in farming and its practices to the grassroots level."
The seminar was organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), focused on the challenges that the Indian agriculture sector faced, especially in the light of the need to double agriculture output without putting undue stress on the existing land and water resources, and the physical environment in the country. "The industry demand for revising land-lease agreements with respect to agriculture could be considered provided the emphasis was on investing in non-productive and fallow land, whereas the government had also taken certain steps to boost agricultural productivity, the focus had shifted to convergence at the district level. This had become necessary if people were to be made aware of the different government schemes, be it irrigation, connectivity or marketing," Kumar added.
Welcoming the participants, R Bharti Mittal, chairman, CII National Council on Agriculture and vice-chairman, Bharti Enterprises, said, "The major challenges the agriculture sector was facing related to increasing productivity while ensuring inclusiveness and sustainability. The need to increasing farm yields had gained importance following the growing debate on climate change and alternative energy sources, especially bio-fuels."
J Steiner, executive team member, Monsanto Company, said, "Importantly, we have to ensure sustainability in agriculture by improving yields without adversely impacting the existing resources which will also help reduce the income gap between the rural and urban areas had to be bridged." Steiner gave several successful examples of how technology had successfully taken growth to the rural populace and said that for this to have greater impact, it was important that farmers, the private sector and other civil society organisations and the government joined hands.
Further he also pointed out the Monsanto's initiative, "SHARE -- Sustainable harvest, agriculture, resources and environment -- under which his company was imparting knowledge on improving farm yields, reducing the resources required and preserving the environment.
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