By: Laxmipathi Gowda

Laxmipathi Gowda — Thu, 21 May 2020 07:23:11 +0000

Glad to see interest in the topic on challenges and opportunities of Covid 19 for Agriculture and Horticulture and allied areas.

By: Dr. SVR Shetty

Dr. SVR Shetty — Wed, 20 May 2020 11:19:02 +0000

Several readers have written to authors directly expressing their insights on the topic . Taking into consideration the recent reforms announced by the Indian Government some colleagues have also offered constructive suggestions on how to reboot small holder farming further and revive rural economy. Some of the major issues highlighted by GRSV Experts include:
1. Optimization of rural and urban labor market taking into consideration contribution of agriculture to total GDP and the population depending on various sectors..
2. Natural resources: land and water management, diversification of agriculture for agro-ecolgy/ecological balance, (integrated agri-horti-livestock-forestry system…)
3. The challenge of enhancing livelihood security for rural population (majority with average farm size less than 0.5 ha) and the need for integration of farm and non-farm enterprises for rural youth employment etc..
4. Enhancing productivity/profitability by optimizing inputs particularly water and nutrient (efficiency), rejuvenation of traditional irrigation/tank system, recycling of nutrients..
5. Sustaining (often disrupted) value chains: stable demand and supply chain for risk aversion (sustainable markets)
6. Reform Research and Extension systems and streamline/rationalize institutions, effective governance structure with committed leadership
7. Mission oriented , last mile delivery for much needed outcome and impact
8. Use of ICT, data base/big data analytics, AI, modern technology for precision/smart agriculture
9. Partnerships: public- private ( corporate social responsibility), multi-institutional ( including finance institutions) and global development partners
10. Analyse implications of post-covid down turn in global economy and identify niche for Indian agricultural products to promote export

More comments/suggestions are welcome on the above and other topics related to rebooting agriculture and rural prosperity..

By: Dr. SVR Shetty

Dr. SVR Shetty — Wed, 13 May 2020 03:28:48 +0000

Excellent comments Prof Nagaraj.
Other comments particularly on 4Rs: Reforms needed to Reboot agriculture and Revive Rural Economy; and Natural Resources : Land ( soil + biodiversity) and water management are welcome…
Also, with it’s expertise and experience can India guide/lead the world in small holder agriculture through UN SDG??

By: Prof N Nagaraj, ICSSR National Fellow

Prof N Nagaraj, ICSSR National Fellow — Tue, 12 May 2020 16:05:12 +0000

The Blog entitled CoVID-19, provides opportunity to Reboot Agriculture and Revive Rural Economy is very interesting, timely and nicely articulated with similar pandemic historical events. These are temporary dislocations and short-run turbulence impairing the growth of all sectors in the economy with severe implications on the livelihood of the poor as they lack adequate purchasing power to buy the requirements. Further, the destructive impact of Corona almost has frozen the commercial activities across the nation. I would like to share some of my views on the above topic:
1. The issue relating to Resettling migrating labour: Rural labor market in India has undergone remarkable changes over the years. There have been diversified opportunities for employment and hence migration from rural to urban. But due to COVID-19 pandemic there is reverse migration. Consequently, earlier tightened labour market, now all of a sudden loosened, labour supply increased manifold and collapsed wage rate, wages plummeting to the bottom. Unless agriculture is revitalized, the demand for labour will be sluggish. Given farmers distress and crisis, how to utilize the labour resources more productively in the rural areas is indeed a biggest challenge.
Here comes, various public intervention measures including the MGNREGS to address the problem. One of the salutary effects of MGNREGA on poor rural households is the drastic reduction in distress migration. In this regard, the point relating to utilizing the labours towards building community assets and watershed-based natural resource regeneration is very pertinent. But, one potential area is missing that need to be highlighted ie., rehabilitation of irrigation tanks especially desilting during this period. This is highly labour intensive providing ample employment opportunities.
2. In Karnataka, every village has an irrigation tank. Karnataka state had approximately 40, 000 tanks during the 1980’s. Tanks were the lifeline for the rural communities in terms of providing (protective) irrigation to crops, drinking water for humans and livestock, recharging groundwater, meeting other domestic needs, silt fertilization for crop production and maintaining overall ecological and environmental balance. But now, these tanks as common property resource are completely degraded and crumbled due to many reasons. An analysis of tank-irrigated area in Karnataka state reveals that area under tank irrigation is drastically falling exhibiting negative growth rate. Thus, Government should utilize labour force towards rejuvenating traditional water bodies like irrigation tanks, farm ponds, bore-well recharge pits, rainwater harvesting……..
3. Relating to assisting individual farmers, for instance small machinery for harvesting; along with transport and storage of Rabi season produce. Given current poor financial position of farmers, how can they invest on small machineries? Instead, arranging these support services on custom hiring basis is more appropriate. We need to encourage innovations in designing appropriate location specific machineries and tools which are female friendly.
4. Accelerating farm profitability is the pre-condition for raising wage rate in farm sector; not only wage rate, but also revival of economy itself; how to address this challenge?
5. Prime minister slogan of “doubling farmers income” remains a dream unless drastic structural changes are brought out in production, post harvesting, value addition and marketing segments. For instance, rice, sugarcane and wheat which occupied roughly 1/4th of total gross cropped area in the country, consumes 80 % of the total irrigation water leaving other crops starved. By using most efficient irrigation technologies like micro irrigation, 40-50 of water can be saved and enable higher productivity and income. But, why these technologies are not adopted is a mute point.
6. The blog addresses the supply side constraints critically, but how to stimulate demand for farm products, locally, nationally and internationally given the post pandemic scenario is missing and needs elaboration?
7. How to stimulate demand for farm products and restore supply chain in order?
There is huge and strong domestic demand for our farm products, but unfortunately the demand is choked and paralyzed because of lockdown. Further, the demand for agricultural products is influenced by culturally driven markets. For instance, the demand for coconuts, flowers and fruits is a function of religious functions, festivals, opening of temples, marriages and so on. Similarly, the demand for milk, vegetables and fruits depends on functioning of hotels, restaurants, hostels and so on. Further, the movement of commodities across borders both nationally and internationally is also restricted and the supply chain is broken. Processing firms are shut down and not able to procure directly from the farmers. The retails like MORE, Reliance, Big basket are not providing direct market linkage. , Presently, because of lock down markets have collapsed. Now, if this scenario continues how to cut down supply so that loss could be minimized. If normalcy triggers, how to augment supply and put supply chain in order is critical.
8. Adoption of ICT driven tools for developing quality data base
Our database relating to area, production, productivity, supply and demand of farm products from different users especially perishable is very weak. This has constrained farm advisory services relating to price forecasting, area restriction, procurement and so on. Thus, the data base has to be strengthened by concerned Depts by using ICT and Artificial Intelligence and Big data analytics to find solutions. Unless markets are liberalized and structural changes are brought out , agriculture is continue to suffer and farmers are exploited. Unless we improve purchasing power of farmers, the anticipated growth in GDP cannot achieve. Furthermore, strategies and action points need to be precisely indicated to handle the failure of monsoon and market.
9. Integration of farm and non-farm activities in rural areas through facilitation of producer companies; This is an emerging area with huge scope for employing rural youth, especially secondary agriculture.
10. Social corporate responsibilities: The agro companies input, processing and service sectors have been immensely benefited from the farmers. In turn, when farmers are in distress due to glut in the market, especially the current scenario of Corona, how many companies came forward and helped the farmers need to be pondered?
Overall, the Blog is thought provoking but the implications of post corona may be worst and these need to be highlighted like bankruptcies of financial institutions affecting agriculture lending, defaulting loans, huge increase in un-employment and worst downturn of economy.

Prof. N Nagaraj,
ICSSR National Fellow
nagaraj.nareppa@gmail.com

Comments on: COVID-19 PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY TO REBOOT AGRICULTURE AND REVIVE RURAL ECONOMY

By: Laxmipathi Gowda

By: Dr. SVR Shetty

By: Dr. SVR Shetty

By: Prof N Nagaraj, ICSSR National Fellow