Kerala - Kochi   

Concern over crisis in farm sector

KOCHI: Agriculture in India has become less remunerative. About 40 per cent of the farmers in the country have been deserting the agricultural sector in search of alternative and more remunerating sectors, said K.V. Peter, former Vice-Chancellor, Kerala Agricultural University. He was inaugurating a symposium on ‘Indian Agriculture and Environment – Perspectives’ organised by Swadeshi Science Movement, at the College of Fisheries, Panangad.

The competitiveness of Indian farmer was very poor as compared to farmers in countries such as China. Investment in agricultural sector in the country was very meagre, he said.

In the First Five Year Plan, 40 per cent of the Plan funds were earmarked for agriculture, but now, it is only 7 per cent. It is disheartening to see that out of every rupee spent for the farming community, only 6 paise goes to the actual farmer.

He said that by the year 2020, the requirements of rice would be 280 million metric tonnes, which in all probability, would not be met.

However, in the sectors such as animal products and fisheries, the target of production for 2020 was likely to be met.

G.S.L.H.V. Prasada Rao, professor, College of Horticulture, spoke on the impact of climate change on Indian agriculture.

Dr. C. K. Peethambaran, Emeritus Professor, Agricultural College, Vellayani, spoke on the challenges for the Indian agriculture sector.

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