The Hindu Business Line : Revamp farm extension

The soon-to-end Tenth Plan (2002-07) may well go down as a watershed period that saw the country rise to newer economic heights. Rated as one of world's fastest growing significant economies, India is set for sustained high growth. Yet, it must be stated that the Plan period has proved not-too-good for the country's massive farm sector. Averaging just about 2 per cent a year growth the last five years (alarmingly close to the population growth rate), agriculture has been a laggard, severely compromising the economic future of a large mass of rural populace. Little wonder, then, that the agrarian crisis has deepened (symbolised by farmer suicides), shortages of essential food crops have become more chronic, and prices uncomfortably high for consumers.

The contrast between the farm sector (on which depends the livelihood of nearly 60 per cent of the population) and manufacturing and services is strikingly disturbing. At every level of policymaking there is no dearth of pious statements about strengthening agriculture and related activities; but there is little to show on the ground. An important government functionary recently admitted that one of the key factors responsible for farm failure is the near-breakdown of extension services. An integral part of the country's farm strategy for five decades, agricultural extension services — providing information, training and support on continuous basis — seem to have become moribund in recent years. Agri-clinics and agribusiness centres have been launched with fanfare, but genuine capacity building among farmers is nearly absent. To be sure, the State governments have a key role to play in promoting farm growth by efficiently managing input supplies, agronomic advice as also pre- and post-harvest technology adoption.

It is perhaps time to revisit the institutional arrangement. There is case for creating innovatively structured farmer-driven autonomous bodies flexible enough to promote bottom-up and participatory approaches. Insulation from political interference should be a key feature. Public-private partnership may be fully explored. Implementation needs not only strong political will but also genuine commitment. Further, there is no alternative to raising public investment in agriculture. Hopefully, the coming Budget will take cognisance of the ground realities and come up with proposals to ensure that agriculture not only survives, but flourishes. For the Government, this is the most opportune time to generate a national consensus — across political parties and stakeholders — on ensuring sustained farm growth at 4 per cent a year over the next 10 years. An assessment of financial, technological and human resource needs and an action plan with appropriate monitoring should follow.

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