Second green revolution in Gujarat to come with value addition : Experts

Even as agricultural growth rate in Gujarat remains higher than national average, farmers in the state see value addition and alternate crop pattern as a major boost for next level of growth in agriculture sector. At a conference on second green revolution in Ahmedabad, farmer leaders and industry experts emphasised on developing infrastructure for agro-processing in Gujarat.

"The need of the hour is to take up value-addition in the agro-produces. Farmers must be educated about benefits of value-addition and marketing these produces," said Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, vice chairman, Gujarat State Planning Commission.Agriculture experts and scientists from Gujarat laid thrust on developing agriculture infrastructure for better management of farm produces in the form of lab to farm infrastructure.

“Gujarat has achieved double digit growth in agriculture sector and the state is a pioneer of second green revolution in the country. Farmers' earnings have increased due to progressive agriculture policies of the state government," said Chudasama, who is also a former agriculture minister of Gujarat government.Industry insiders informed that the farm produces especially food grain production has increased substantially in past one decade from about 196.81 million tonnes (MT) to 232.07 MT in 2010-11.

At the conference organised by Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) on Thursday, the representatives of farmer community informed that contract farming and improved irrigation facilities in the state have helped farmers increase their earnings by more than double. They also urged farmers to adopt progressive farming practices.