R Gopalakrishnan is bang on target on the need for innovation in farming in India in his column, "Intelligent farming" (November 13). India cannot prosper until its agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, animal husbandry and dairy sectors are prosperous.
We hear a lot about innovation with respect to start-ups, but not so for farming. Agriculture or, for that matter, other food production vocations are considered backward in India. Even graduates from agriculture or fisheries institutes prefer corporate jobs to becoming entrepreneurs. However, what makes a vocation progressive or backward largely depends on how you do it rather than what you do. A classic case is that of a cook at home and a chef at a star restaurant.
Agriculture, aquaculture, horticulture, dairy and the like need a fresh approach - open to experimenting, ready to adopt new technology and take risks while ensuring safety and quality, imparting training and mentoring -from policymakers and entrepreneurs to succeed and bring about a change in Indian society. Policies must encourage the creation of an environment to nurture and support entrepreneurs rather than subsidised farmers.
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We hear a lot about innovation with respect to start-ups, but not so for farming. Agriculture or, for that matter, other food production vocations are considered backward in India. Even graduates from agriculture or fisheries institutes prefer corporate jobs to becoming entrepreneurs. However, what makes a vocation progressive or backward largely depends on how you do it rather than what you do. A classic case is that of a cook at home and a chef at a star restaurant.
Agriculture, aquaculture, horticulture, dairy and the like need a fresh approach - open to experimenting, ready to adopt new technology and take risks while ensuring safety and quality, imparting training and mentoring -from policymakers and entrepreneurs to succeed and bring about a change in Indian society. Policies must encourage the creation of an environment to nurture and support entrepreneurs rather than subsidised farmers.
Gangesh Kumar Varma Kolkata
Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:
The Editor, Business Standard
Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi 110 002
Fax: (011) 23720201
E-mail: letters@bsmail.in
All letters must have a postal address and telephone number