Agriculture Sector to strengthen Indian economy

Agriculture has always proven to be the backbone sector of Indian economy. The COVID 19 pandemic has posed challenges to the operations of almost all the sectors across the globe. However, as India along with the world is fighting this challenge of survival and revival. The Indian Government proactively classified agriculture and related services under the essential list of items and allowed their operations during the lockdown. But still the sector continues to face many challenges in terms of shortage of manpower, logistics, supply chain etc. World Trade Center Bhubaneswar in association with Center for Agri Business Management, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar organized a panel discussion on “The Prospects and Challenges for Agri Sector During COVID times” to discuss and brainstorm on the way forward for the sector during this challenging period. 

Prof. Dr. P.K. Roul, Managing Director, The Agricultural Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha Limited (APICOL), in his address spoke on harvesting of Rabi Crops, disruption in emart system and the hindrance on keeping the supplies as the major challenges posed by COVID 19. He deliberated that in the current scenario after the health sector it the agriculture which stands as the next important sector. He advocated that agricultural sector has reemphasized its importance in the current times. He further highlighted that the sector is definitely in dearth of capital investments and is current inviting more and more investments in various aspects of agriculture such as mechanization. He also pointed out at the massive pressure on the sector as the government announcements such as advanced free ration is certainly demanding high production volumes. “The reserve in food grains will drastically fall if the production is not taken care of” said Dr. Roul. While deliberating on the redressal mechanisms Dr. Roul opined on adaption of few measures such as shifting of the irrigation systems from labour intensive to mechanized system which shall increase the production capacity, an e-enabled market system with direct connectivity between farmers and consumers can strengthen the supply chain and effective use of migrant workers for agricultural purposes. 

Mr. Sukumar Das, Chief Executive Officer, Krushijeevika Producer Company in his address spoke about the complexities of the existing e-market system and credit availability issues being faced by the farmers and farmer producer organizations. While lauding the government for creating enabling circumstances he emphasized on the need for innovation ad creation of new ideas in the sector. While speaking on the challenges he highlighted the some of the issues being faced at the grass root by the farmers in the processes involved such as grading, sorting, getting due price for the produce, credit issue, storage issue, bank guarantee issue etc. He advocated for a consolidated effort by all the relevant stake holders of the sector to get connected efficiently and effectively in order to create an ecosystem conducive for the sector. He pointed out at the need for capital investment and a huge development of infrastructure in the sector with proper planning according to the size of the market player. 

Mr. Venkatram Vasantavada, Managing Director & CEO, Seedworks International Private Limited, in his address spoke about the changed perception about the sector across the globe. He also shared his views on the required changes in the crop growing pattern. While lauding the enablement and encouragement measures taken by the government for channelization of supply of seeds he detailed about the new digital approach of supply chain as far as seed distribution and seed market is concerned. He also shared his views on the changes made in the Essential Commodities Act which was long due and a welcome measure. 

Dr Tapan Panda, Chief Academic Officer, Ampersand Group, Mumbai in his address presented his views as an academician and shared insights on crucial points such as the channel management, market dysfunctionalities, price discovery mechanism etc. He also explained as to how these functions could be managed efficiently by the handholding organizations such as cooperatives and farmer producer organizations for various issues at the policy level, at the farm level and at the individual farmer level. He emphasized on the need to further work towards making the sector organized there by removing the market dysfunctionality by which the sector could effectively tie up with more and more of the private players. He further shared couple of models through success stories and case studies which emphasized on resolutions to various challenges. He also shared insights on occupational shift from agriculture to manufacturing and services in other regions as compared to the State of Odisha. He spoke on the various promotional techniques such as creation of brand for the products, implication of quality certification mechanisms etc. 

Mr. Keshaw Jha, Deputy CEO, Livelihood & Value Chain, ORMAS, stressed on various aspects of supply chain management. He emphasized that the supply chain management, basically in agriculture activity could be categorized into two one being the input supply and the other the output supply. He spoke on the adverse impact of COVID 19 on the supply chain management in the State of Odisha. He also shared the initiatives taken by the State government for the Kharif crop growers. He detailed about the initiatives taken by ORMAS to maintain the supply chain in various districts of the State. However he expressed his concern in the recovery time for the sector to restore to its fullest capacity in the long run. 

Mr. Pradipta Mohanty, Chairman, SN Mohanty Group of Companies and Convener to the World Trade Center Bhubaneswar Think Tank on Agriculture and Food Processing earlier in his address spoke about the objective of the webinar and its vitality in the existing scenario. He shared his views on the impact of the pandemic in India and its economy and advocated that Agriculture and Industry are the two pillars which shall build back the economy supporting livelihood of the many nationals. He stressed on the implications of the COVID 19 on the Agriculture sector, supply chain and migration of the laborers who are involved in various irrigational activities such as storage, transpiration and market operations. He also spoke about the relative impact on the food processing sector. Exploring new opportunities, value addition, adaptation to new farm mechanisms are critical points for revival of the sector he opined. 

Mr. Jatindra Mishra, Course Head, Center for Agri Business Management moderated the discussion and also proposed the vote of thanks