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Close on the heels of rising number of farmer suicides and fall in the growth of agriculture in India, the World Economic Forum senior director (food security and development initiatives) Lisa Dreier in an interview with Sanjay Jog emphasises on the need for a slew of measures including modernised policy framework and market access to farmers.
Dreier, who was in Mumbai; said WEF, which is currently associated with Maharashtra government to implement PPP on integrated agriculture development initiative, proposes to engage with other states too.
What is your comment on spate of farmers suicides and the problems faced by the agriculture sector in India?
We at the WEF sees the ongoing farmers distress as very urgent indicator of the need for progress in the agriculture sector. India certainly is not alone facing significant challenges in the agriculture sector.
For this reason WEF has prioritised agriculture and food security as one of the top issues that we are committed to working on to find out the solutions by really putting the farmers at the centre of the action that we are trying to mobilise.
We have seen sort of distress and hopelessness and difficult play for farmers not only in India but in many other countries of the world. It is an urgent call for action for all leaders to address the suffering population.
In India at least in media there has been a lot more coverage of this terrible problem. A solution is to provide good livelihood where farmers can earn good income and have a good life with their families. Right now agriculture is not able to provide that, so it is an urgent call.
Despite slew of government programmes, suicides are on rise and agriculture continues to be the victim of various actors. What are WEF's views in this regard?
At WEF we believe that private sector can be part of the solution not the only solution but they can bring technology, training, financing and seeds, irrigation and other tools that farmers need.
They can also provide a fair price and buyer thereby good market opportunity for farmers. We work with many companies to mobilise the support.
In India we see a great potential to improve the production of food. However, at the moment, India is not fully utilising its potential so taking this intervention of providing better technological support to farmers.
Dreier, who was in Mumbai; said WEF, which is currently associated with Maharashtra government to implement PPP on integrated agriculture development initiative, proposes to engage with other states too.
What is your comment on spate of farmers suicides and the problems faced by the agriculture sector in India?
We at the WEF sees the ongoing farmers distress as very urgent indicator of the need for progress in the agriculture sector. India certainly is not alone facing significant challenges in the agriculture sector.
For this reason WEF has prioritised agriculture and food security as one of the top issues that we are committed to working on to find out the solutions by really putting the farmers at the centre of the action that we are trying to mobilise.
We have seen sort of distress and hopelessness and difficult play for farmers not only in India but in many other countries of the world. It is an urgent call for action for all leaders to address the suffering population.
In India at least in media there has been a lot more coverage of this terrible problem. A solution is to provide good livelihood where farmers can earn good income and have a good life with their families. Right now agriculture is not able to provide that, so it is an urgent call.
Despite slew of government programmes, suicides are on rise and agriculture continues to be the victim of various actors. What are WEF's views in this regard?
At WEF we believe that private sector can be part of the solution not the only solution but they can bring technology, training, financing and seeds, irrigation and other tools that farmers need.
They can also provide a fair price and buyer thereby good market opportunity for farmers. We work with many companies to mobilise the support.
In India we see a great potential to improve the production of food. However, at the moment, India is not fully utilising its potential so taking this intervention of providing better technological support to farmers.
What further steps are required to address these issues?
Some improvements in policy such as exemption in stock limits of crops, improvement in payment system are welcome initiatives taken by the Centre and some states. Still many complex policy issues need to be addressed. WEF's position is neutral supporter and convener.
We do recognise many of the policies have been put into with good intentions. However, India needs to have more streamlined and modernised policy framework for farmers to have direct access to markets, more price for their products.
Maharashtra is a good example of liberalised policies in agriculture sector. Big transformation in agriculture is possible with the major commitment from all actors as there is a strong need to meet the growing demands for food. I am great optimist about of India, a believer in the economic potential of India.
There is need for increased investments in agriculture in order to improve the productivity and meet the rising demand for food in India and in the world. Companies are ready to invest. They just need the confidence and partnership of governments to create the environment where they can work.
