Unless farmers were sure their financial risks would be covered, they would not diversify their cropping pattern, Singh said, while inaugurating a two-day international workshop on agricultural diversification and vertical integration in South Asia, here.
The workshop has been organised jointly by the Washington-based International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the Hyderabad-based International Crops Research Institute for Semi-arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci).
The minister conceded policy reforms were needed to provide an impetus to the agro-processing sector and develop post-harvest marketing infrastructure in rural areas.
Ashok Gulati, director (markets and trade division), IFPRI, pointed out that the consumption pattern in the south Asian region had changed dramatically in the past couple of decades due to a consistent 5-6 per cent annual economic growth, coupled with a fall in the rate of population growth.
This had necessitated diversification of economic activity in rural areas and spurred growth of sectors like horticulture, dairy and poultry.
ICRISAT Director-General William Dar said his institute had broadened its research agenda to promote high-value crops and focus on crops-livestock integrated farming systems.
