1.
About 5-6 millions tons of foodgrains
has to be produced additionally every year over the next decade and beyond.
This must happen without damaging or degrading the ecosystem. This challenge,
induced by population growth, has to be met by science-led productivity growth
in agriculture. Efficient management of agricultural technology is a crucial
pre-requisite for the strategy to address this problem. Enhanced funding for
public supported agricultural research is critical.
2.
Equally important is the needed paradigm shift in R&D
(Research and Development) from component (say input-based) to system focus in
agriculture. There is also a need to underscore proper technology assessment,
refinement, efficient transfers and to move from supply-driven to demand-driven
mode by integrating market signals with client needs and constraints. This
calls for changes in management and organization of agricultural research in
the country.
3.
Wide variation in estimates of future demand and supply of foodgrains makes it difficult to plan for increased
agricultural production. A systematic study of various projections in
agriculture is an urgent need and it was recommended that a task force be
constituted for this purpose. The group should examine alternative estimates
critically, attempt its own analysis, if necessary and submit its report as
soon as possible. In fact, the short-term agricultural outlook reports should
be attempted.
4.
It was recommended to systematically examine all policy and
institutional instruments, which have a bearing on food security and
environment. While technology was a very important factor, other elements like
population management, industrialization, social sector, decentralization,
regulatory policies and programmes, were often
necessary to make the system more effective.
5.
The need for a whole new set of institutional arrangements,
including legal and regulatory processes, was emphasized. These must be
non-bureaucratic, democratic and most importantly, participatory. Public
systems must be reoriented along these lines if the twin challenges of
productivity growth and sustainable use of natural resources are to be
effectively achieved. All productivity enhancing research must be integrated to
manage natural-resources in order to achieve sustainable improvement of the
performance of production system within the eco-system.
6.
The new trade regime offers challenges and opportunities which
need to be analyzed properly, particularly with regard to poverty, food
security, natural resources management and IPR (Intellectual property rights).
Unfortunately, even after a decade of GATT and WTO discussions, the debates
still centre round populist arguments. In order to improve the global
competitiveness of Indian agriculture, the ICAR needs to undertake careful
study to guide its future strategy.
7.
Problems of natural resources degradation and environmental
hazards need specific targeting in R&D as well as developmental programmes transcending agriculture. Despite wide
recognition of these problems, at present hardly a few systematic efforts or programmes are in place to monitor the indicators at the
national level. Such information must now be routinely generated by the
statistical reporting system. Need for data on soil and nutrient loss, erosion
of bio-diversity, chemicalisation of soil, water and
atmosphere, harmful residues, etc. are some of the examples in this case.
8.
Stagnation or decline of total factor
productivity of major foodgrains are signals
of impending crisis that threatens food security even in the medium term. Apart
from greater thrust on agricultural R&D, infrastructure development in
areas hitherto neglected, has to be given higher priority. Human resource
development programmes aimed at improving technical
and entrepreneurial skills of farmers also play an important role in this
context.
9.
Agricultural policy must pay equal attention to food and
nutritional security, environmental sustainability and improvement in quality
of rural population. Past efforts have concentrated on the first,
the other two have been largely peripheral. This must change and an
inter-ministerial approach to agricultural development must replace the current
departmental mode.
10.
Such comprehensive policy framework must integrate productivity,
resource conservation, poverty alleviation, employment and gender education.
The strategies like R&D, rural education, infrastructure development, rural
industrialisation and social sector initiatives etc.
must enmesh with this framework.
11.
Peoples' participation and traditional knowledge are to be
accorded prominence in all agricultural development programmes.
Effective involvement of stakeholders has to be ensured and this will need
installation of new organization and implementation process. Reorientation of
research and extension in partnership mode (with private sector, NGO, farmers'
organizations and panchayats) must form an essential
part of the aforesaid initiative.