S.V.R. Shetty – From Begging Bowl to Feeding the Future: My Global Professional Journey

1. Introduction/Background

• – Childhood (1950s): Early Independence period, Middle class joint family, rural coastal ecosystem
• – Fragile Agri. resource base, mostly subsistence agriculture, a few non-farm activities
• – The “Begging Bowl” era of famines and droughts, conflicts, and a “Ship to Mouth” food system

2. Studies in Agriculture (1960s to early 70s): Karnataka, Oregon, and Punjab

• – Disciplinary academics, with minimum practical exposure
• – Severe hunger and early “Green revolution’ era of the 60s: Mainly food-production oriented
• –  Graduate studies on Ag. Chemistry, Agronomy and Weed Science
• – Early exposure to different academic environments: Karnataka, Oregon, Punjab

3. International Agriculture Research: Weed Science─Cropping Systems─Farming Systems─NRM (1970s to early 80s): Asia and Africa

• – Weed research: Herbicides to Habitat management at ICRISAT
• – From Disciplinary to NRM approach. Example: Weed Science in Watershed management/ Vertisols management in Semi- Arid (ICRISAT), and Rice based Multiple Cropping systems (IRRI)
• – Revitalising weed science societies: ISWS, APWSS, and initiating On-farm production agronomic research

4. African Agricultural Research and Development (1980s and 90s)

• – Donor exposures: SAGRAD with Sorghum and Millet based agronomy in West Africa (WA)
• – Strengthening National Research infrastructure with USAID and Syngenta in Mali, WA
• – Exposure to evolution of post-green revolution “Sustainability” concept: VPI, CRSPs

5. Global Agricultural Research and Development: (1990s to 2004)

• – Production systems research approach: ISP in global Sahelian regions
• – Research and Development: Desert management Initiative
• – Strengthening NARS on Rained farming systems: World Bank/ICARDA in WANA region

6. Agriculture and other development sectors: (2004-2009)

• – Advising USAID/WA on Ag Res and Development in WA
• – Integration of other sectors: Economic Growth, Education, Health, Governance, etc., for “Feeding the Future”
• – Advanced technologies: Introduction of Biotechnology, Environment/Climate Change, ITC, etc.

7. International Research Partnerships/Alliances (2009-2015)

• – Public-Private partnerships in Agri. R and D
• – WASA: USAID/WA NARS/Private/NGOS
• – Africa Seed system development through AU Africa Seed Network

8. Conclusion

• – Wide global experience in Ag R&D: Wisdom from living and visiting more than 60 countries during the eras of “Begging Bowl” to “Feeding the Future”
• – Evolution of Agriculture and technologies for Food systems and Acceleration of sustainable economic growth
• – Gaps in smallholder farming and rural development and donor fatigue,

9. Lessons: Looking Ahead

• – Need for more hands-on, on-station and on-farm production agronomy research in the modern Digital era.
• – Intensification needed of Inter-disciplinary holistic research and development on a land-scape scale, involving key stakeholders, including policy makers.
• – Reform of agricultural education to keep pace with the rapidly changing technologies (precision ag. tools, Agri-data analytics, entrepreneurships, and evolving employment demands). Industry related short courses on precision agriculture, AI in agriculture, value chain management, agri-business, data sets management for policy makers, etc., are needed.
• – Special focus is needed on Research and Development for Smallholder Agriculture and Sustainable Economic growth. Adoption of improved technologies would depend on the incentives provided for enhancing farmer incomes.
•  – Enhanced Partnerships with Private/NGOs and South-South Collaboration needed during declining international donor support, to achieve Sustainable Development Goals.