(a) whether a National workshop was recently organized by the Government in New
Delhi on `Enhancing Competitiveness of Indian Agriculture`;
(b) if so, the details thereof including the major issues discussed thereof;
(c) the details of the recommendations made;
(d) whether the Government has on the basis of the recommendations or otherwise,
prepared a roadmap for enabling the Indian agriculture to face the global challenges in
the agriculture sector; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)
(a)(&(b): Yes, Sir. The Government had organized a National Workshop,
`Enhancing Competitiveness of Indian Agriculture` on 07.04.2005 at New Delhi. During
the Workshop, the following issues were discussed:-
i. Identification of agricultural commodities which have the potential to compete in
global markets in medium to long-term;
ii. Identification of policy measures needed to support integration of domestic farm
production with emerging global markets, including establishment of food parks and
export zones;
iii. Key issues in enhancing global competitiveness of Indian agriculture produce; and
iv. Identification of areas of public/private partnership in the development of agri-
infrastructure to support competitive agriculture.
(c): The recommendations made during the Workshop, inter alia, included:-
i. Drawing up of long-term export policy for important crops such as wheat, rice,
horticulture crops among others;
ii. Improvement in production systems and productivity through supply of quality
planting material, provision of fertilizers and plant protection chemicals;
iii. Establishment of quality standards and improvement of the same for agricultural
commodities;
iv. Creation of a market intelligence system based on improved electronic tools;
v. Creation of efficient markets and storage and transport facilities;
vi. Rationalization of transport cost for agricultural commodities;
vii. Identification of new and expanding markets for agricultural products in the world,
especially in the African continent;
viii. Addressing the sanitary and phyto-sanitary issues including minimum residue level,
disease free zones and traceability;
ix. Increasing investment in processing of agricultural products to generate higher value
addition and employment in the sector;
x. Promotion of contract farming, establishment of commodity boards for important
crops; and
xi. Focusing our trade negotiating strategy in multilateral and bilateral forums so as to
create more markets for agricultural products.
(d)&(e): The recommendations made during the Workshop have been noted by the
Government. The Government has adopted a multi-pronged strategy for addressing
specific segments of agriculture to increase higher productivity and improve the
competitiveness of Indian agriculture. These initiatives, inter alia, include promotion of
diversification of agriculture, special emphasis on promotion of horticulture,
improvement in marketing and storage systems and encouragement of food processing.