The Hindu Business Line : TN: Agriculture portal on the anvil

THE Tamil Nadu Government is contemplating an exemplary model of a portal on Agriculture Department, the Commissioner of Agriculture, Mr Jag Mohan Singh Raju, has said.

Addressing the annual Scientific Workers' Conference at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) here on Thursday, the Commissioner said that a rudimentary model of the portal would be ready within the next three months.

"We are depending on the NIC (National Informatics Centre) for this. There is a wealth of information available. But this should be made available to the stakeholders - the farmers, in particular. There is a lot that needs to be done. We are at it."

Mr Raju expressed concern about the `missing link' between the producer and the consumer. "In the present-day scenario, the producer does not determine the market. It is the consumer. But we are more concerned about increasing the production and productivity, instead of examining what is in store for us. Take the Tea Board, for instance. It has always been emphasising on increasing production and productivity, despite the steep decline in price levels and newer players entering the global market place.

"Each country has specialised in some area - The Netherlands in fruits, Egypt and Jordan in melons (despite being categorised as a dry belt), etc. We should also draw up a vision for the State. A roadmap is a must. Instead of taking a step-by-step approach, we have to work backwards," the Agriculture Commissioner advised.

The Agricultural Production Commissioner and Secretary to the Department of Agriculture, Dr P. Baskardoss, emphasised the need for proper dissemination of information and strengthening of agriculture extension services.

While hailing the State's agriculture performance, he appealed to the scientific community to focus on R & D efforts to overcome constraints like scarce water and land resource, failure of monsoon, declining soil health status, etc., and sustain yield levels.

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