C.H. Hanumantha Rao, Chancellor, University of Hyderabad today said that the total factor productivity of all inputs should be considered for agricultural economic indexes.

He was speaking after inaugurating the 73rd Annual Conference of the Indian Society of Agricultural Economics (ISAE) at the National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM), here.

The noted agriculture economist and former Planning Commission member said “Technology is the most important component that is driving the change in agriculture today.”

Quoting from his experiences during the green revolution in the 1970s, he mentioned about the diversification of cultivation of crops and increase of non-cereals output. He asked the agricultural economics scientists and agribusinesses to develop post-harvest infrastructure.

C. Ramasamy, President, ISAE and former Vice-Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore gave a background of the conference and laid the objectives for discussion at this congregation.

P. Padmaraju, Vice-Chancellor, ANGRAU, spoke on the effects of climate changes and its effect on agriculture. He cited the unseasonal cyclones in Nov 2013 that wrecked the crops nearing harvest and the destruction of the crops that were harvested.

S.L. Goswami, Director, NAARM welcome the gathering.

More than 150 delegates at the conference will discuss during the next three days the growth, status and future prospects of agricultural economics and policy in the background of the XII Five Year Plan.

Somasekhar.m@thehindu.co.in

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