1. Sowing Prosperity Team Details Sunil Kumar MN| Alan Bagya Praveen| Gokula Bala| Sathish Prabahar| Harinivash B| Boosting Agricultural Productivity The timely challenge for India

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Current Scenario of agriculture in India GDP growth The GDP share of agriculture in India has decline to less than 14% over last 50 years Average agriculture growth is 3.7% during 11th five year plan Employment Two thirds of Indias population depends on rural employment 42% of farmers are ready to quit agriculture due to low farm income Famers receive price 20% less than what the consumer pays Land 20 lakh hectares of cultivable land have been put to use for non agricultural purposes About 120.72 and 8.4 million hectares of land is degraded due to soil erosion, water logging and soil salinity respectively Annually India is losing nearly 0.8, 1.8 & 26.3 million tonnes of nitrogen, phosphorous & potassium respectively Water 80% of water resources are used for agriculture, out of it only 38% is efficiently utilized and remaining is lost in the distribution system In India, abstraction of ground water is 251 cubic km per year, -25% of global groundwater abstraction in the world Soil Fertility and Soil Erosion Ground water level depletion Water ContaminationNatural Access to formal and informal Education Knowledge of farming management systems Human Precision Farming Simulation techniques to estimate the water level and climatic condition Fertilizers Technology Credit access Insurance Schemes for crops Government subsidies and minimum support price Financial Access to markets through proper transport Storage facilitiesPhysical PreProduction DuringProduction Post-Production Overview of all process in agriculture 3. Driving factors for the Proposed model Increase in food Demand: The population of India is growing at the rate of 1.8% per year and is expected to double in 40 years Concentration on Rainfed agriculture: Out of 3 hectare of cultivable land in our country, two thirds are under rainfed agriculture Average Age: In 2020, the average age of the Indian is estimated to be 29 years Scope of agriculture: 42% of farmers are ready to quit agriculture due to higher income in other sectors Retail System: Indian retail system is highly inefficient Transport and Storage facilities: Lack of transport and storage facilities for crops to reach the consumers Lack of information: Deprivation of local infrastructure, climatic conditions, information on soil quality and awareness on technology to farmers 83% of famers have operating land holdings of less than 2 hectares The need for a change in model to increase agricultural productivity Expected outcomes of the model Increased outcome: The most important outcome of this model would be increased livelihood for the farmers and their ability to exercise more responsible use of the natural resource base Empowerment: Empowers the farmers through informed decisions taken by them and to increase capacity to sustain their own development efforts Creating Operational Links: The operating institutional links that would be created between the farmers ,development committees and universities enabling them to overcome production and post harvest specific farmers Skilled labours: Availability of better skilled personnel in specific areas such as irrigated and irrigated helps in improving agricultural productivity by solving timely solutions to problem Employment: Both rural and urban employment can be improved to an greater extent 4. Proposed Model- Value Delivery Network (Not a solution, but certainly helps!) India Alluvial Black Red & Yellow Rain-Fed region Zonal Committee1 Village Zone1 Business Model1 Village Zone2 Business Model2 Irrigated region Zonal Committee2 Village Zone3 Business Model3 Village Zone4 Business Model4 Laterite Desert Mountain Region based States classified based on 6 soil Types Zonal committee under each region Group of villages form a zone and monitored by each Zonal committee Vision: To build a productive, competitive and diversified agricultural sector and facilitate rural employment 5. Implementation of Value Delivery Network It is a special network formed exclusively for agricultural sector to develop dynamic agricultural model and knowledge system Classification based on soil: The regionalization of agricultural Indian states are done based on six major types of soil distributed across India. Classification based on water dependency: Every Indian states are sub-divided into two major regions based on dependency on water viz., rainfed and irrigated Committee members: Each region will have regulatory body(Zonal Committee) which comprises of expert personnel- Environmentalist, Economist, Pedologist, Agricultural technology specialist employed by the central governments. Zonal group division: Both regions(rainfed, irrigated) are further sub divided into zones(group of villages-approx 5-10). Zonal members: Every zone will have zonal administrative Officer, Intermediary officer, Legal advisor, Crop protection officer, Knowledge personnel Database framework: Each zone will have zonal database framework which would facilitate interconnection between all zones across India. This database contains farmer details, crops produced, technology used, details regarding financial Supports and the respective business model Village: Each village will have a village representative who is an agriculturalist who is responsible for farming and the business model followed Various business models(Joint venture, contract farming, management contract and supply chains relations ) can be followed to create greater value for both farmers and consumers 6. Environmentalist To increase agro-forestry projects Studies the climatic change pattern and advice zonal officers on timely cultivation and timely harvesting Hydrologist To manage the ground water level and its quality and takes care in controlling water depletion and contamination To monitor farmers to follow drip/drop irrigation techniques and efficient utilization of water Economist To conduct research on econometric analysis on values of crop production, water supply demand and soil fertility To study demand and supply of the market and alarm the situation to zonal officers Pedologist To study soil formation, classification, fertility and the proper use and management of soil Chemical composition of the soil are tested to grow crops and plants accordingly Techno Specialist To improve agriculture mechanization Facilitates modern agricultural practices Legal advisors To create awareness on beneficial schemes for farmers To ensure every farmers access to credit and insurance policies Zonal administrative officer To conduct quarterly meetings among farmers to motivate and influence their agricultural mechanisms To distribute the resources to farmers and also decides the business model based on feasibility Crop protection officer Encourage development of drought and climate resistant genes Interact with village groups to facilitate them to use integrated pest management techniques depending on the crop Intermediary Officer To procure produces directly from farmers and channelize it to the government and consumers Encourage farmers to engage privately through national innovation centre for activities Knowledge Personnel To play an interface role between regional experts and farmers To educate every individual on latest technologies , crop yielding techniques and better plant protection methods through training programs and workshops Roles and Responsibilities of officers in the value delivery network Regional officers(Zonal Committee) Zonal officers 7. Agriculture investment need not always be a private land tenure-Explore different models Business model Advantages Challenges and Opportunities Joint venture Shared risks and benefits Reduced political risks and supplies supplier information Increased capacity, value addition activities, co-existence and immediate livelihood benefits Contract farming Secured market for suppliers, access to credit, farmers maintain land ownership Monopsony Well established Equitable distribution within the market chain high value crops Multi-parti model Government agencies, private companies and farmers can play roles in different areas of value chain Negotiation power Enforcement- Contract default Clarity on terms of relationship Cooperative farming Co-financing- Credit, extension services, research Conservation agriculture involving local communities as partners and co-producers Management contract Build capacity and strategic alliances with other practitioners Opportunities beyond direct agriculture Models can be chosen/ customized deliberately to suit the need Other innovative models can also be followed for environmental and economical sustainability 8. Acquisition act: Land acquisition act can be strengthened Supply chain management: Improve supply chain management Support Price: Minimum support price for crops Cropping incentive: Increase in cropping intensity and Incentives for farmers Land reforms: Beneficiaries of land reforms can be organised in to self help groups that empower them for equitable access to credit, irrigation water and quality seeds Increased opportunities in other sectors and loss in farm income leads to decline in average size of land holdings. Action needs to be taken to promote technology, water and soil resources thereby increasing the productivity Database creation: Database containing the collection of latest technologies and implications of WTO on agriculture can be created which would enable the farmers to gain access to best practices Geographic information systems : Land can be mapped digitally and pertinent geodetic data such as topography and contours can be combined to provide analysis of soil. Biotechnology: Use of genetically modified crops such as water resistant crops will reduce the farmers dependence on water and would improve the growth Simulation Tools: Collecting the historical data related for past 30 years and combining the data with inputs such as soil, water facilities to provide suggestion on the crops that can be planted for the current year to farmers. Improve technology in agriculture Check dams: Check dams, canals, lakes and ponds can be constructed to maintain the under ground water table Irrigation facility: Good efficient irrigation techniques like drip irrigation Harvesting techniques: Improve rain water harvesting & recycling techniques Water shed management: Develop integrated water shed management models Partnerships: Partnership with local farmers will introduce pivot irrigation as an alternate to traditional flood irrigation Government programme: Dedicated government programme and integrated aquifer mapping to manage groundwater level Increase in water resources Soil fertility: Soil fertility to be analysed & Soil test to be done before plantation for proper crop selection Fertilizers: Eco-friendly pesticides & fertilizers are used Crop Rotation: Rotation of crops to regenerate nutrients and encourage contour farming Cover Crops: Cover crops are planted alongside with other crops to avoid soil erosion and prevent over exposure to sun Soil resources development Steps to be taken to maintain land resources 9. Recommended Government Policies and advantages Policies Advantages Concept of public and private can be introduced in agriculture and allied sectors Better capital investment Intermediaries between producers and consumers can be eliminated Huge benefits and profits to farmers Method of contract farmers between producer and consumer can be practiced More people would take up agricultural activity incentivizing to produce more Concept of cooperative/Integrating farming can be introduced among small and marginal land holders Opportunity to increase economic yield per unit area per unit time Effective utilization of land Leasing in and leasing out of agricultural land can be legalised and permitted within ceiling limits of various states Illegal possession of land can be controlled More Dynamic Insurance policies Helps the capacity of the farmers in absorbing the shock( Extreme weather and climate changes) Enactment of laws for ecological foundation for climate resilient agriculture, waste management and carbon sequestration of soil Overall natural resources can be managed efficiently 10. Additional Solutions Media channel: An exclusive media channel for agricultural programs which include crop cultivation techniques, schemes for farmers, technological updates. Promotion for agricultural education: Agricultural universities are to be increased which promote Compulsory subjects on farming are to be introduced for 8th to 10th standard students. Creating awareness among farmers: Organizing yearly agriculture conferences for zonal officers and workshops on Innovative techniques for farmers through agricultural university. Encourage farmers to take up non farming activities like poultry, cattle, fishing and other activities which provide opportunities for off-farm employment and increase their income Labor employment: MGNREGA can be extended to provide employment in agriculture, eliminating dearth of farm labourers. Food processing: Demand for processed food is expected to increase because of high income and demand Investment in food processing would enhance the income of farmers. Exclusive transportation: A separate transportation department for distribution of agricultural produces to the market Utilization of rainfed areas: The potential of the rainfed areas has not been fully utilised. Rainfed areas are prioritised for agricultural production through the proposed model Tillage agriculture: Reform agricultural practices to be less harmful for forest regeneration by utilising zero tillage agriculture Bio fuel: Contribution of bio fuel to energy supply will improve energy security and provide new income source for farmers because at present bio fuel 35 billion lit is 2 % of annual gasoline consumption world wide Improve supply chain management 11. Optimizing the use of energy in crop production and management of waste in agricultural crops On a technological prone environment, it is difficult to concentrate more on agriculture in initial stages Despite existing agricultural sector, developing a new network requires huge investment and maintenance cost The infrastructure cost for starting new agricultural universities is high Budget allocation towards agriculture needs to be redefined Career trends for younger generation needs to be directed towards agriculture Integration and cooperation between the different roles in regional committee and zonal officers is important Suitable business models need to be chosen based on the environment, technology and availability of resources Implementation Challenges The value delivery network for improving agricultural productivity involves various challenges and implementation risks In India, 6,40,867 villages are divided approximately into 64,000 zones. 30 people per zone will lead to 19,20,000 employees of which 9,20,000 people are specialists and remaining are for administrative services. In addition to this, 80,000 specialists are required to operate at the state level. In total 10,00,000 Specialist are to be recruited from agricultural universities Opening of more agricultural universities and increase in number of seats will bring about a lakh of students. This will increase the demand and would encourage youth to take up agriculture. In 5 years, the requirement of 10,00,000 employees would be satisfied. The proposed model to be successful would at least require 5 years to after having created the demand for agricultural courses in India. Future employment opportunities 12. http://www.icar.org.in/en/node/5943 http://epubs.icar.org.in/ejournal/ http://www.gov.ns.ca/agri/bde/news/pdfs/AgriBusinessPlan.pdf - A new agri-business plan http://www.rainforestconservation.org/rainforest-primer/6-conservation-of-tropical-rainforests/a- means-of-conserving-tropical-rainforests/6-improvement-of-agricultural-methods-and-productivity http://www.igidr.ac.in/newspdf/srijit/PP-069-SMD1.pdf- Policies for Raising Agricultural Growth and Productivity in India http://www.preservearticles.com/201106228367/causes-for-low-productivity-of-indian- agriculture.html http://www.unescap.org/pdd/publications/apdj_10_2/mahadevan.pdf http://www.uneca.org/sites/default/files/publications/sro-sa-agri-iputs-business-opportunities.pdf References