Chintan Shivir discusses action plan, need to develop strategy to modernise agriculture

Sudden variations in weather due to climate change have caused significant damage to crops in recent years. The same has been seen this year as well. This not only affects the farmers and their income, but it is also a cause of concern for the country's food security. In view of this, the need of the hour is to develop strategies to make agriculture climate resilient.

There is also a need to address the issues and challenges related to integrated nutrient management, promote balanced use of fertilisers, enhance soil fertility and establish an eco-sustainable farming system.

Against this backdrop, the future action plan including modernising agriculture was discussed at a two-day Krishi Chintan Shivir organised in New Delhi over the weekend.

Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Ministers Kailash Chowdhary and Shobha Karandlaje inaugurated the Chintan Shivir organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) on Friday. NITI Aayog member Prof Ramesh Chand was also present.

The aim of the two-day camp on July 7-8 was to meet the needs of the future.

The participants felt that a future action plan has to be prepared by discussing issues like increasing exports and modernising Indian agriculture.

The Chintan Shivir also discussed issues like how to create synergy among various organisations and stakeholders to harmonise eco-friendly approach towards plant conservation.

At the same time, adoption of advanced natural farming systems was suggested to ensure sustainability of agriculture and effectiveness. To ensure maximum reach, strengthening of extension services and focus on digitisation of extension system was mooted.

A need was felt to formulate a state-level strategy to promote exports and strengthen export-oriented supply chains. It was also suggested that every possible intervention in the agriculture sector must be made through producer participation. The focus should change from a 'production centric approach' to a "marketing centric approach" by leveraging the potential of the private sector.

Agriculture Minister Tomar said that agriculture has an important place in the country's economy. The agriculture sector remained strong even during the crisis of global recession and corona. It should be further strengthened by collective efforts. He said that the target of the Prime Minister is to establish India as a developed nation by 2047.

To achieve the same goal, there was a need to give serious thought to what will the country grow in the agriculture sector, where will it stand in 2047, what will be the production capacity, what will be the productivity, what will be the types of crops, and what will be the future of the farmers.

Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Kailash Chaudhary emphasised on making faster progress through new technology while removing the deficiencies in the agriculture sector.  MoS Shobha Karandlaje said there was a need to have a concrete plan and give the gift of development of the agriculture sector to the new generation.

NITI Aayog member Prof. Ramesh Chand, Union Agriculture Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Secretary DARE and Director General ICAR Dr. Himanshu Pathak also presented their views.