Agro Seminars at Global Agriculture Summit help realizing Chief Minister’s dream of generating a vibrant economy in rural India:
Vibrant Gujarat Global Agriculture Summit witnesses 11 successful agro-related seminars in two days:
Mahatma Mandir, September, 10: The two-day Global Agriculture Summit-2013 that began with a bang in Gandhinagar witnessed as many as 11 agro-related seminars aiming to educate farmers with application of modern science technology in their farming, animal husbandry and food processing methods. Significantly, three country seminars by Netherlands, Israel and Denmark were also held. A gigantic Kishan Panchayat was also held in presence of Chief Minister Narendra Modi, where innovative farmers shared their experiences that encouraged the farmers across the country present in the Panchayat.
The seminars that were organized to realize Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s dream to generate a vibrant economy in rural India and promoting farming and strengthening farmers by ensuring handsome return to their produces, encouraging organic farming, holistic health care and application of modern technology in farming by the farmers of different states and countries.
Bio-Technology in Agriculture seminar:
Agricultural bio technology holds a very important place as far as development of agriculture sector is concerned. The seminar saw large presence of the farmers and participants as they saw luminaries like Dr. Swapan Kumar Dutta, deputy director general of crop science at ICAR, Dr. S R Rao of department of biotechnology government of India, Dr. Rajiv Modi of CII Gujarat chapter and Dr Mohammed Oufattole talked on range of aspects affecting the sector. The dignitaries were of the view that biotechnology is a potential tool to address food security issue in India and it has shown great potential in terms of benefits to the farmers and community at large. It has also played key role in introducing crop varieties with high yield, increased nutritional values, improved resistance to climatic conditions, reduced maturation period and has increased the shelf life of the produce.
Hi-tech Horticulture and Farm Mechanism:
The seminar was attended by large group of participants, which saw important addresses from dignitaries like Dr. K L Chaddha, former deputy director general of horticulture at ICAR, Gujarat government’s agriculture minister Mr. Babu Bokhiriya, Dr. Balraj Singh director National Research Centre on Seed Spices, Dr A M Shekh vice-chancellor of Anand Agriculture University and others. The talks by speakers revealed that in recent years the horticultuproduction (fruits, vegetables and other horticulture crops), in India has increased considerably. In last five years it has increased by 30%. As compared to total production of 191.80 million tonnes in year 2006-07, it has increased to 250 million tonnes in year 2011-12. Apart from productivity, the seminar discussed on the challenges faced by the horticulture of which major challenge was how to reduce the post harvest losses which amounts to almost 16-18% of the total horticulture produce in the country.
Input-Output Agriculture Supply Chain and Linking Farmers to the Market:
The seminar was addressed by former agriculture advisor to Planning Commission on Dr V V Sadamate, minister of education, food and civil supplies Mr. Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, Dr A R Pathak vice chancellor of Navsari Agriculture University, chief advisor to National Centre for Cold Chain Development Pawanexh Kohli and others. Since India is endowed with great agricultural advantage, another biggest advantage was its soil fertility, which is highly favorable for different crops. As of now country has 15 broadly classified agro-climatic zones, which are best suited for cultivation. The seminar also focused on present agriculture value chain, its inefficiencies and the ways to improve farm-market linkages. It also dwelled on issues like market imperfection ranging from shortage of storage space, poor transportation facilities and improper infrastructure being another factor adding to the rising food inflation.
Agriculture, Livestock and Dairy Sector:
Animal husbandry has been an integral part of Indian agriculture sector where land and cattle traditionally are two basic income yielding assets for Indian farmers. The seminar was addressed by dignitaries like minister of social justice and empowerment Ramanlal Vora, GCMMF (Amul) managing director R S Sodhi, NDDB executive director Sangram Chaudhary, director National Dairy Research Institute Dr A. K. Srivastava and others from the filed.
Access to Agriculture Credit & Risk Management:
Since Indian agriculture sector is heavily dependent on monsoon, making it an inherently risky activity. The seminar was addressed by luminaries from the field which included P S Shenoy, ex-chairman Bank of Baroda, minister of revenue Anandiben Patel, Rajesh Sinha executive vice president National Commodity & Development Exchange, chief general manager National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development M K Mudgal, ex-DGM (R&D) Agriculture Insurance Company of India Dr K N Rao and others. The speakers said that timely and low cost credit from institutional sources will be of a great help especially to the marginal farmers. It also focused on historical overview of agriculture credit in India, agri credit system in country and recent policy initiatives and risk associated with it.
Food & Agro Processing: The seminar had speakers like Vishwanath Tiwari, MD Gandour India Food Processing Pvt Ltd, minister of state for agriculture and food chairman & CEO Himalaya International Ltd Manmohan Malik, Rajender Reddy Gaddam MD of Srini Food Park Pvt Ltd.
Country Seminar – Israel: The seminar was addressed by Dr Edna Pesis department of post harvest, Dan Meiri GM Agritech, Raz Ganelevin development manager Meteor Agricultural Nets, Ronen Koll, regional manager Affimilk.
Country Seminar – Denmark: Mr. Anders Adamisen, counselor food and agriculture Denmark, Ajit L Inamdar, director & CFO Cheminova India Ltd, director strategic initiative & external affairs Danfoss Industries Pvt Ltd and Krishnan G S regional president of Novozymes South Asia Pvt Ltd addressed the participants of the seminar.
Others seminars which were held during this Vibrant Gujarat Global Agriculture Summit -2013 include Agriculture & Nutritional Security, Agricultural R&D Extension and Country Seminar by Netherlands.
Cecil/Yashpal
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