The Hindu Business Line : ‘Agriculture needs inputs on leadership, management’

Mumbai, May 7 While the Services sector and Manufacturing sector continue to register robust double-digit growth rates year after year, agriculture has languished at a tepid growth rate of about 2.3 per cent over the last several years, creating disparities in income distribution. Can agriculture learn anything from the other two fast growing sectors?

Yes, says Dr R. Balakrishnan in his book “Supply Chain Management for Indian Agriculture”. The author, an executive director of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, with decades of experience in promoting microfinance and strengthening small enterprises, believes what agriculture needs today is leadership and management inputs that have made corporate India compete at the global level. Agribusiness can realise its full potential by adopting the principles of supply chain management (SCM).

Book’s aim

The aim of the book is build a model that would fit into the socio-economic conditions of agriculturists.

Supported by data and economic pragmatism, the book argues in favour of managerial approach to the agricultural value chain, mainstreaming agriculture through non-exploitative networks, public private partnerships, supply chain credit, use of technology (biotech and infotech), organic practices and contract farming as the way forward.

Drawing from Indian and international experience, Dr Balakrishnan has advocated a series of reforms for revitalising the farm sector. Logistics would emerge as a valuable service for the country’s farm sector.With newer challenges facing global and Indian agriculture – landconstraints, water shortage, climate change – there is urgent need for a lot more focussed, equitable and relationship-oriented system. The list of recommendations should provide useful inputs to policymakers, bankers and agribusinesses. The book has been published by Indian Merchants’ Chamber as part of its centenary celebrations.

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‘Agriculture needs inputs on leadership, management’