Agri Business Policy could bring in Rs 10,000 cr investment to Gujarat

During past three years, the state has attracted an investment of about Rs 3,000 crore in the farm sector

Gujarat's new agricultural policy is likely to bring in Rs 10,000 crore worth investments in the sector and allied businesses, feels the state government.

Speaking at the Ahmedabad roadshow for CII Agro Tech 2016, K S Randhawa, managing director, Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation Limited said, "Gujarat is the leading state in India in agriculture and its related businesses. Recently, the state government has announced Comprehensive Agro Business Policy 2016-21 to encourage agriculture business. We believe that because of this policy over Rs 10,000 crore fresh investment in the state in next five years."

He added, "It has been designed to suit the most common and already existing challenges of this industry that include wastage, post-harvest losses and strongly promotes skills enhancement and creating employability.

During past three years, the state has attracted an investment of about Rs 3,000 crore in the sector.

Experts at the event felt that it's about time that the farm sector in India is treated as industry and relevant changes of mindset and models of running it are brought in.

Speaking at the event organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here, Abhay Firodia, chairman of Force Motors Limited said that agriculture has always been seen in a low light here in India and not at all as something aspirational. Firodia who is also a chairman of the Agro Tech 2016 said, "In India, we have never seen agriculture as an industry. Now, there is a need to change this mindset if we want the sector to grow in leaps."

Corporate involvement in agriculture is very negligible, and is required to improve agriculture and its affiliated businesses.Barring the example of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) which owns the popular brand Amul for milk and milk products, the cooperative model has not been so successful in farm sector and it just become a group of farmers.

Firodia said, "Corporate style operation of cooperative will improve efficiency and that will open many doors of development in agriculture sector in India. This will promote innovations, strengthen the marketing aspects of it, which will ultimately benefit farmers."

Water shortage for irrigation and drinking purpose is always been an issue for India. The country need to improve its supply of water for both and focus on water conservation the experts felt.

Meanwhile, Gujarat, which recently came out with its Agriculture Policy, is participating in Agro Tech 2016 which is scheduled from November 19 to 22 at Chandigarh.