Look to agriculture differently: ICAR official

A plea to shift the focus of agriculture policy from price centric to development centric was made today at a seminar on agriculture here.
"Time has come when we should look to agriculture differently. We should not merely take produce from producers to end users; but also focus to promote welfare of producers and consumers," Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Deputy Director General (Agriculture Education) Ramesh Chand said.
He was delivering his keynote address at the seminar on 'Agriculture Market-Setting New Development Agenda', jointly organised by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR) supported by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

Chand also explained about various important factors affecting agriculture market in India and worldwide, changes in marketing trends in agriculture, the role of Centre- State in fixing the Minimum Support Price, APMC Act and opportunities in agri market in the changed economic context of the country.
In his opening address N Ramesh, General Manager, NABARD said emphasised the support provided by NABARD to encourage entrepreneurships in agriculture in the state.
The session also highlighted 'Various Modern Concepts in Agriculture', the 'Success Stories of Entrepreneurs and Corporates who have excelled in Agriculture Sector' and also analysed the challenges ahead so as to motivate more entrepreneurs and corporates to venture into agriculture as an alternative source of investment'.

Agriculturalists, entrepreneurs, organic farmers, botanists, academicians from various parts of the state attended the session.