Growing demand for carbon reduction professionals

 The demand for carbon reduction professionals is on the rise, and the emergence of such professionals presents significant opportunities for individuals looking to make a positive impact on the environment while building a fulfilling career. According to various reports, the largest absolute growth is expected in education, agriculture, and digital commerce, with investments that facilitate the green transition of businesses creating more than half of the job-creation effects.

Fastest-growing jobs in sustainability and related fields

 The Future of Jobs Report 2023 by the World Economic Forum highlights the fastest-growing jobs in AI and machine learning specialists, sustainability specialists, business intelligence analysts, and information security specialists. Investment in the green transition and climate-change mitigation, as well as increasing consumer awareness of sustainability issues, are driving industry transformation and opening new opportunities in the labor market. Renewable energy engineers, solar energy installation, and systems engineers will also be in high demand as countries seek more renewable energy sources.

Investment in green transition driving job creation

 Investment in the green transition will drive growth in more generalist sustainability roles, such as sustainability specialists and environmental protection professionals, which are expected to grow by 33% and 34% respectively, translating to growth of approximately 1 million jobs. However, since sustainability and green jobs require higher levels of creative problem-solving, more nonroutine activities, formal education, and on-the-job training than traditional jobs, more training will be necessary to meet the skills demands in green and sustainability positions.

India’s potential for a green economy and job creation

 India’s transition to a green economy could contribute more than $1 trillion in economic impact by 2030, as well as create over 50 million jobs, according to the World Economic Forum report. The transition can contribute over $1 trillion to the country’s GDP by 2030, with the potential to increase to $15 trillion by 2070. The economic benefits of the green transition will be seen across various sectors of the economy, including agriculture, healthcare, and education. India also has the potential to create a renewable energy market worth $500 billion by 2030.

Education and training for aspiring carbon reduction professionals

 As the world continues to transition to a low-carbon economy, the demand for professionals in carbon reduction will continue to grow. Those interested in pursuing a career in this field should seek out educational and training programs that can provide the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in this growing industry. The Indian government is recognizing the importance of professionals in carbon reduction and is taking action by creating a skilled workforce in areas such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable transportation. More training will be necessary to meet the skills demands in green and sustainability positions, as these require higher levels of creative problem-solving, more nonroutine activities, and formal education and on-the-job training than traditional jobs.

India’s educational institutions bridge the climate skills and demand gap

 India’s academic institutions are addressing the shortage of skilled workers in the field of sustainability by offering specialized courses on green jobs, including environmental sustainability, green economy, sustainable products, green marketing, and green manufacturing. Some of the well-known institutions offering climate-centric courses are IISc Bengaluru, TERI in New Delhi, IIT-Mumbai, IIT-Hyderabad, Anant National University, Gujarat University, and Ashoka University. These institutions offer a range of degree programs, including MTech and PhD programs in climate sciences, a master’s degree in climate science and policy, and a Bachelor of Technology specializing in climate technologies. Ashoka University has taken a step further by mandating ecology and environmental studies in all its undergraduate courses to address the demand for skilled workers in the field of sustainability.

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PM Modi said this while addressing the nation from the rampart of Red Fort in Delhi on the occasion of Independence Day.

He said, “The new government has not even completed 10 weeks in office but even in this small period we have taken and strengthened initiatives in all directions.”

“10 hafte ke andar anuched 370 aur 35a ka hanta Sardar Patel ke sapnon ko sakar karne main ek aham kadam tha (The removal of Articles 370 and 35A of the Constitution within 10 weeks of the new government is an important step towards realising the dreams of Sardar Patel),” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.

“Today the country says, one nation, one Constitution. We are committed to realise Patel’s dream of ‘ek Bharat, shresta Bharat (One India, great India),”PM Modi said in Independence Day speech.

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It was the strength of agricultural sciences and technology adoptions by the farmers that India achieved Green Revolution in the 1960s and subsequently the Yellow, White and Blue Revolutions

How can we improve the conditions in agri-horticultural productivity?

India is famous for agri-horticultural farming in the world, although burdened with more than 17 percent of the population of world with mere 2.4 percent share of land and 4.2 percent of freshwater. India has diverse agro-climatic conditions, making it possible to grow an enormous variety of fruit and vegetables in the country. Agricultural production is an important contributor to Indian economy and provides nearly 55 percent of the country‘s employment. It was the strength of agricultural sciences and technology adoptions by the farmers that India achieved Green Revolution in the 1960s & subsequently the Yellow, White and Blue Revolutions. With the burgeoning population, already nearing that of China, the environment issues, resource constraints, decreasing farm sizes, income and employment deficits, there are new and urgent challenges to be addressed.

How can we improve employability in agri-sector?

Agriculture is the key to creating jobs in India’s largely informal economy. The ecosystem has changed rapidly and we believe entrepreneurs are the key drivers of innovations and are essential to creating a booming economy. Factors which can help in improving the sector are easy access to technology, emergence of micro financing, liberalized government rules, dissemination of technical knowledge, awareness and training programmes on agriculture and allied sectors and finally changing mindset of the highly qualified people to go for self-employment in the field of agriculture.

In what ways can we inculcate entrepreneurial skills in this sector?

Entrepreneurial skills within the farmers can be improved through training programmes, designed in such ways that are related to the competency needs of farmers. Equipping the farmers with knowledge and skills in analyzing the strong and weak points of their enterprises as well as the threats and opportunities in the business environment, and developing competencies related to strategic planning will also be very useful. Knowledge driven farming and agri-business systems will need well trained and oriented graduates in the fields of agriculture, horticulture, farm-engineering and agribusiness sectors. With open international marketing systems, mechanization, emerging new technologies and equipment, there is increasing necessity of trainers and trained manpower and upgradation of skills, hence vast employment opportunities.

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The source of water is always depend on rain directly as well as indirectly. Therefore, on the part of the policy makers, farmers and other stakeholders to make all the efforts to harvest rainwater and utilize technology to recharge ground water. Also, farmers should be properly educated to rationalize crop use pattern with regard to availability of water resources. Certain crops such as sugar cane & rice that are water-guzzling crops need to be grown in lesser area & replaced with other less water consuming crops. Also, newer varieties with lesser water requirements are developed through research. It appears at present that there is no way that Indian agriculture can be made independent of external resources. Harvesting Technology in Agriculture Harvesting Technology in Agriculture

Q. The Prime Minister pledged to double the farmers’ income by 2022. Your comments.

The production of crops dependents’ again on several factors, which may not be under the control of the farmers. Climate change is a big threat to food production system. Therefore, it is important on part of the farmers that they diversify their agriculture including animal husbandry, poultry, fishery, horticulture, bee keeping etc. so that other crops can compensate losses in one crop. Ecosystem created in rural areas to minimize production losses and farmers are facilitated to have access to national and international markets for selling their product. Appropriate infrastructure should be created for storage, value addition and price of their product. As there are several unknown factors that determine the outcome in agriculture it will difficult to double the income.

Q. What’s your take on promotion of aquaculture farming?

Yes, aquaculture farming should be promoted big way where the water is not a limiting factor. The aquaculture has brought tremendous change in states such as Andhra Pradesh. Several other states are also promoting fresh water aquaculture. Yes, the nutritional deficiencies problem can be addressed by aquaculture to some extent.

Q. How should India mitigate stubble burning in Haryana and Punjab?

To mitigate the pollution issue, farmers need to be compensated economically and their stubbles need to lifted/removed quickly at the time of harvesting by government/private entity which can utilize this straw after processing and develop products which can be utilized. One such product could be animal feed after some enrichment. The bottom line is with financial benefits to the farmers this issue can be effectively tackled. The farmers need quick removal of straw from her/his field so that next crop can be planted.

Q. What initiatives encourage youngsters to embrace agro-industry?

Agro-industry has not yet developed in robust manner as in advanced countries. If there are opportunities in agri-business, youth will be automatically attracted to it. It is well documented that post-harvest processing/value addition in agriculture sector as whole is less than 20 percent which is far behind from some of the advanced countries where post-harvest processing is more than 60 percent. Therefore, there is huge scope for enhancing processing through investment in this sector in big way thereby creating jobs for agriculture graduates and postgraduates.

Q. What is the market entry strategy for a start-up?

Startups need to be innovative in their services and products as there is competition with some big multi-nationals and established national companies in agri-sector. What is important for the startups is to identify areas where there is no competition and the products and services are cheaper as compared to others in the sector.

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Towards harnessing India’s demographic dividend, the report explicitly details skill development, entrepreneurship, and enhanced employability of the graduates

The Fifth Deans’ Committee Report of ICAR emphasizes on, underpinning the congruence of excellence and relevance, has judiciously updated the curricula, course contents, and degree nomenclature, and recommended reforms in admission and examination, pedagogy, faculty requirement, governance etc. Towards harnessing India’s demographic dividend, the
report explicitly details skill development, entrepreneurship, and enhanced employability of the graduates.

Government Jobs

Research Officer, Quality Assurance Officer, Agriculture Officer, Agriculture Loan Officer, Production Manager, Operations Manager, KRISHI VIKASH KENDRA, Agricultural Development Officer, Agricultural Extension Officers, Assistant Officer, Field Officers, Government contractual projects

The thrust on creating trained quality human resources in the Agriculture Sector through the countrywide establishment of State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) in the 1960s onwards, along with the deemed universities, had ushered in the Green Revolution, followed by White, Yellow, and Blue Revolutions. The National Agricultural Research, Education and Extension (NAREE) system, one of the largest in the world, had congruently generated the needed scientists, teachers, researchers, technologists, technologies and technology transfer systems to transform India from Ship-to-Mouth situation to the Right-to-Food status.

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The Committee has commended strengthening of the science-based learning experience, and changing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) to STEAM, where A stands for Agriculture

The agricultural course curricula should be restructured to underpin relevant practical skills, entrepreneurial aptitude, self-employment, leadership qualities, confidence among graduates, attracting & retaining youth in agriculture, through which the enrolment of students in such courses increases. There are 26,614 students enrolled for Post Graduation courses of Agriculture and Allied sector with 64.8% male and 35.2% female students. While considering gender distribution, it is seen that Agriculture is one among the major sectors having the lowest female participation.

Programme-wise Enrolment

Programme-wise Enrolment – Distance Mode

Enrolment at Under Graduate Level in Agriculture Disciplines/ Subjects

Programme-wise Out-turn/Pass-Out

According to Fifth Dean’ Committee Report of ICAR, the Committee has contextualized academic aspects of the challenges and opportunities. Further, it has articulated the knowledge and skills needed among the graduates and recommended curricula reforms and innovations for enhancing employability, employment potential, entrepreneurship, and science-led transformation of India’s food and agriculture system, enabling our graduates to become job-providers rather than job-seekers.

Enrolment at PhD, MPhil & PG Level in Agriculture Disciplines/Subjects

Out-turn/Pass-Out at PhD, MPhil & PG Level

Asserting that sciences underpin agriculture, the Committee has commended strengthening of the science-based learning experience and changing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) to STEAM, where A stands for Agriculture.

Foreign Students in Agriculture Courses

Stream-wise Distribution of Under Graduate Enrolment

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There are 67 State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), three Central Agricultural University (CAU), four Deemed Universities (DUs) and Central Universities and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) with agriculture faculty in India. These institutions provide admission at UG level in 11 disciplines. After the completion of the 10+2 standard examination, one can either pursue BSc, BBA in Agriculture or after the completion of graduation in Science stream. In India, various National & State Level Agriculture Entrance Exams are organized every year for the admissions into Agriculture / Horticulture undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

State Agricultural Universities

Fields of Agriculture

All-India and State Level Examinations to Clear

New Initiatives in Courses

Student READY (Rural and Entrepreneurship Awareness Development Yojana)

In compliance with the Student READY programme in the year 2015, the following components are proposed for conducting the one year program in all the undergraduate discipline:

New Degree Programmes

Considering the latest scientific developments impacting food and agriculture systems, along with new societal needs and demands, the Fifth Deans’ Committee has proposed introduction of the following new courses.

All-inclusive Distribution of Courses

With an aim of inculcating the basic, principles, as well as, skills in a systematic way year wise plan has been sketched out:

List of Agriculture Institutes

Andhra Pradesh

• charya NG Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur
• Dr YSR Horticultural University, Venkataramannagudem, Tadepalligudem
• Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati

Assam

• Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat

Bihar

• Bihar Agricultural University, Bhagalpur
• Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University, Samastipur

Chhattisgarh

• Chhattisgarh Kamdhenu Vishwavidyalaya, Durg
• Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur

Delhi

• Indian Agricultural Research Institute

Gujarat

• Anand Agricultural University, Anand
• Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh
• Kamdhenu University, Gandhinagar
• Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari
• Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Banaskantha

Haryana

• Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar
• Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar
• National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal

Himachal Pradesh

• Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur
• Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan

Jammu and Kashmir

• Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir

Jharkhand

• Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke

Karnataka

• Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar
• University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shimoga
• University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore
• University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad
• University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot

Kerala

• Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur
• Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, Kochi
• Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Wayanad

Madhya Pradesh

• Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur
• Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, Jabalpur
• Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Gwalior

Maharashtra

• Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai
• Dr Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli
• Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola
• Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University, Nagpur
• Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri
• Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani

Manipur

• Central Agricultural University, Imphal

Odisha

• Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar

Punjab

• Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana
• Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana

Rajasthan

• Agriculture University, Jodhpur
• Agriculture University, Kota
• Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur
• Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner
• Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Jobner
• Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner

Tamil Nadu

• Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore
• Tamil Nadu Fisheries University, Nagapattinam
• Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Madhavaram, Chennai

Telangana

• Prof Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Hyderabad
• Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University, Hyderabad

Uttar Pradesh

• Banda University of Agriculture and Technology, Banda
• Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur
• Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly
• Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Faizabad
• Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi
• Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Allahabad
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut
• UP Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyay Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go-Ansundhan Sansthan, Mathura

Uttarakhand

• GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar
• Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali Uttarakhand University of Horticulture & Forestry, Pauri Garhwal

West Bengal

• Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur
• Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Cooch Behar
• West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Kolkata

Evaluation Process

However, the papers will be set by external sources, and the respective HOD shall ensure the coverage of syllabus according to the report. On the other hand, evaluation and assessment to be done internally by the faculty other than the Course Instructor.

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Digital technologies such as Remote Sensing, Geographic Information System (GIS), Internet of Things (IoT), coupled with data-driven decision making and analytics, hold the key to improved farm productivity, minimized farm wastage and increased farmers income.

A report by Accenture estimates the digital agriculture services market will hit $4.55 Billion by 2020 globally, thus, pointing out to the fact that agri-tech startups in the world, as well as India, are bound to grow.

Agri – Industry Size

The agricultural products value marketed during 2004-05 was ` 5053 billion, which included ` 3323 billion of crop products, ` 1387 billion of livestock products and ` 343 billion of fisheries products. Similarly, agro-processed products were
` 4169 billion. The compound annual growth rate of expenditure has been 4.2% over the years.

A report by Accenture estimates the digital agriculture services market will hit $4.55 Billion by 2020

Agriculture, forestry, logging and fishing accounted for 16.6% of the GDP in 2007.

Gross Value Added (GVA) in Years:

Additionally, India is the biggest generator, customer and exporter of spices items. Export of spice from India has touched to US$ 3.1 billion of every 2017-18. Tea exports have crossed a record high of 240.68 million kgs in CY 2017 while coffee traded 395,000 tons in 2017-18.

Market Infrastructure

Agri-business is a constantly growing market and expanding from the Stone Age to the era of big data.

Many reports suggest that the market valuation can be increased through higher investment in supply and marketing chain. Experts from all sectors of the agriculture industry suggest that millions and tonnes of food products can be added to the food chain if we invest highly in post-harvest losses due to insects, rodents and weather damage.

Due to lack of proper handling (cleaning, sorting, grading and packaging) at the farm gate or village level, about 7 per cent of grains, 30 per cent of fruits and vegetables, and 10 per cent of seed spices are lost before reaching the market. An estimated ` 50,000 crore is lost annually in the marketing chain due to poorly developed marketing infrastructure and inefficient system of marketing activities.

FM announced increases in customs duties on certain items to incentivize domestic value addition and the “Make in India” campaign for key sectors. Consequently, the import duty on vegetable oils, various juices and other processed food products were raised. The exception to import tariff increases was for raw cashews, which received an import tariff reduction to support the cashew processing industry.

A country which was self-sufficient in food had to import nearly 7.5 million tonnes of wheat during 2006 and 2007. Changes can be brought down by putting more stress in the value chain, finance, policy, training, and market linkage methodologies to improve availability and affordability of inputs, agriculture production, post-harvest handling, output markets and price discovery information, and exports, with improvements to farmer and other stakeholder capabilities to generate higher volumes and efficiencies that increase household incomes.

Investments

India is becoming an example of ease of doing business for many countries. Government of India has introduced its first ever Agricultural Export Policy to boost the exports of agricultural products to USD 60 billion by 2022 as per press release by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

Some major investments and developments in agriculture are as follows:

• China will begin importing 50,000 tonnes of raw sugar from India in 2019
• Metals and Minerals Trading Corporation (MMTC) has registered a growth of 26% over the last year with a net profit of ` 41.62 crore as compared to Rs. 29.76 crore in last year.
• Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) is an indicator of business activity in both the manufacturing and services sectors. PMI in October 2018 stood at 53.1 as against 50.3 in October 2017.
• Investments of ` 8,500 crore (US$ 1.19 billion) have been announced in India for ethanol production.
• The first mega food park in Rajasthan was inaugurated in March 2018.
• Agrifood start-ups in India received funding of US$ 1.66 billion between 2013-17 in 558 deals.
• In 2017, the agriculture sector in India witnessed 18 M&A deals worth US$ 251 million.
• A total of 325 products from India has GI indication. The first product to get a GI tag in India was the Darjeeling tea in 2004 and the recent ones are Bangla Rasgulla, Alphonso, and Mahabaleshwar Strawberry.
• In FY18, Ministry of Food Processing Industries granted fund of ` 268.8 crore for the Mega Food Parks scheme.
• A programme named as ‘SAMPADA’ for the food processing sector, with investments worth US$ 892.46 million with an aim to reduce waste and double farmer’s income

Source: Economic Survey 2017-18

Pestle Analysis of Agriculture Industry

Political Analysis

Political policies affect directly to the agriculture industry where 70 % of the population demand on it.

• Our country lacks national level policy and full responsibilities are with the state government. Industrial growth is always given a top priority than agri sectors
• Although production has increased adding more to GDP still India is one of the poorest countries. To meet the growing demand, we need a structural change in pricing policies, technology, irrigation and research.
• Direct support, encouragement and incentives to farmers should be provided.
• More female specific technology and training should be encouraged
• Cost of production is important to factor to work upon to elevate the pressure on farmers

Societal Analysis

• High interest in the loan and massive debt
• Law to restrict agriculture land from real state purposes
• Society not accepting agriculture education as a medium of mainstream course
• The entrepreneurial spirit in agri-based industry is not found in all areas of our country. Some societies encourage entrepreneurship while some don’t.
• The two-thirds of its populace offers work to 57% of the workforce and is a raw material source to a huge number of enterprises. Regardless of the depiction of cultivating as a sound and glad lifestyle, agriculture division encounters one of the most elevated numbers of suicides than some other industry

Technical Analysis

• Kisan Call Centre came up for farming advice
• Agriculture machinery training and research centre are establishing across India
• Many State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), Agricultural Engineering Colleges/ Polytechnics are organizing various campaign, workshop and seminar. For which ` 73 lakh during the year 2004-05 and ` 38.03 lakh during the year 2005-06 was released to different State Governments and ICAR
• Encouragement of more public-private partnership for the overall development
• E-Chaupal is an initiative by ITC which provides farm mechanization, weather info and credit facility targeting 10 million farmers by 2022.
• National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange Limited (NCDEX) and Multi Commodity Exchange of India Limited (MCX) exchanges are introduced to trade in agriculture commodity

Environmental Analysis

• Being the direct dependent of monsoon, insufficient rain will lead to a lack of production
• Climate change making a way to immediate flood and drought
• Shortage of sugar in India is a prime example of how the biggest producer is turning into the highest importer
• Hybrid plants are required to resist such climate or any worldwide disease
• Illiterate and superstitious outlook should be dumped to except more scientific methods for cultivation

Source: Planning Commission, Economic Survey 2015-16, Central Statistics Office, Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability, ICAR, NITI AYOG, Media Survey

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Indian agriculture is a mosaic. There are good examples of scientific and remunerative agriculture. Knowledge concerning such agriculture should be spread through a series of national demonstrations, as we did in the 1960s

Q. You are a believer in income orientation of the farmer than production growth. Please tell us more about this.

Everyone needs a stable and adequate income. Farming is a risky profession, depending upon sun and rain. Therefore an income orientation is exceedingly important. This can be done by adopting measures by which there could be a value addition to every part of the biomass.

Q. The central, as well as federal governments, are now talking about loan waiver to farmers in a big way. Can just waiving loans be enough? Tell us about the economics of farming.

Loan waiver is a short term measure to help farmers to get back to farming. On the other hand, it is an acceptance of the non-viability of agriculture. We should make agriculture economically viable through increased productivity, improved and value-added handling of the biomass.

Q. In all sectors one is witnessing a startup boom. How is it in the agricultural sector?

There is no boom in agriculture since demand and supply have to be closely matched in order to ensure that we have market-driven agriculture.

Q. Farmers’ children are not taking up agriculture. This could have an adverse effect in the future. Your comments

Farmers’ children see the difficulties their parents are undergoing. They also read about farmers’ suicides which have a very adverse effect on their mind in taking to agriculture as their profession.

Q. Do you feel the curriculum in agricultural universities needs a revamp? If so, how?

The curriculum in Agricultural Universities needs continuous improvement. Science is progressing fast and the curriculum should be such that the latest information is given to farmers.

Q. Marketing and pricing of farm produce are two issues that need attention. You have been talking a great deal on this. What are the recommendations that you have given to the Government of India?

We have given several suggestions for assured marketing and remunerative pricing. Minimum support price and procurement are important to encourage farmers.

Q. How can one retain youth in farming?

Youth can be retained in farming provided farming becomes both economically attractive and intellectually stimulating.

Q. Are we able to meet the food production demand to the increasing population in India?

We can meet the increased demand arising from increased population since the untapped production reservoir in agriculture is still very high.

Q. Indian economy is still agrarian to a large extent and we lag behind in production and innovation as compared to the USA and Europe? Your comments

Indian agriculture is a mosaic. There are good examples of scientific and remunerative agriculture. Knowledge concerning such agriculture should be spread through a series of national demonstrations, as we did in the 1960s.

Q. What are the different R&D areas that your organization MSSRF is working on?

We are working on anticipatory research (example preparation for sea level rise), participatory research with rural and tribal families and translational research designed to convert scientific know-how into field level do-how.

Q. What’s your take on agriculture-start-ups and how it should be worked upon in a country like India?

The only way agriculture can attract the interest of youth is an economical reward and security of income. This is why it is necessary to provide an income orientation to farming.

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In 2016, V. Naveen Kumar, created a mobile app that acts as a trusted data source for farmers to take wise decisions. The app promotes the farmer’s requirements and facilitates the sale of farmer’s produce without need of middlemen.

Today, over 1.24 lakh farmers in Telugu-speaking states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh use his mobile app NaPanta to avail a host of services, all free of cost.

It is to be noted that Naveen holds MBA degree. He says, he feels great in contributing his part to bring some change in the way farmers practice agriculture since ages.

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