Introduction:
Farming continues to be the major source of food, nutrition, income and employment for the most of
the rural population in India. The country’s farming is characterized by presence of a large number of
small and marginal scale farmers with small farm holdings. However, the country is blessed with diverse agro-climatic conditions which enable the farmers to produce a large number of agricultural commodities. The challenge of producing enough food for the growing population with the reducing holdings is a herculean task. With the development of commercial agriculture techniques during the post independent period the agriculture sector has been able to cater to the domestic and international markets. In the light of the focus on commercial farming the rich tradition of crop diversity of Indian farming lasts its glory. Few crops are occupying major production area and are grown repeatedly year
after year. This has resulted in emergence of several field levels biotic and abiotic constraints and overall reduction in the benefits realized from farming.
Crop diversification provides the farmers with a wider choice in the production of a variety of crops in a given area so as to expand production related activities on various crops and also to bring down the possible risk. Crop diversification in India is generally viewed as a shift from traditionally grown less remunerative crops to more remunerative crops. The crop diversification is also taking place due to governmental policies, thrust on some crops, market reforms, infrastructure development, government subsidies, certain other price related support mechanisms, higher profitability and stability in production also induces crop diversification. Crop diversification and growing of large number of crops are practiced in dry-land areas to reduce the risk factor of crop failures due to recurring droughts. Crop substitution and crop shift are also taking place in the areas suffering with some specific soil related problems.
The country has made considerable progress in the farm sector during the last 50 years. From 'hand to mouth' conditions in the early sixties, the country has not only become self reliant in food grains but have acquired sufficient resilience to tide over the adverse conditions. The achievements in food production is the outcome of a policy framework of improving rural infrastructure, including irrigation, research, extension, provision of agricultural inputs at reasonable prices, mechanization in farming, marketing support through minimum price mechanism, promotion of FPOs etc.
Factors responsible for crop diversification:
With the introduction of scientific and modern agricultural technologies, there is a continuous surge
for diversified agriculture. The changes in crop pattern, however, are the outcome of the interaction effect of many factors such as (a) Resource related factors, mainly irrigation, rainfall and soil health (b) Technology related factors, mainly seed, fertilizer, water use, marketing, storage and post harvest processing (c) Household related factors mainly food and fodder self-sufficiency requirement as well as investment capacity of the farmers (d) Price related factors covering output and input prices, trade and other economic policies that affect these prices (e) Institutional and infrastructure related factors covering farm size and tenancy issues, research, extension and regulatory policies of the government. These factors are highly inter-related. The economic liberalization policies as well as the globalization process are also exerting strong pressures on the area allocation decision of farmers, essentially through their impact on the relative prices of inputs and outputs. While factors such as food and fodder self-sufficiency, farm size, and investment constraints are important in influencing the area allocation pattern among smaller farms, larger farmers with an ability to circumvent resources constraints usually go more by economic considerations based on relative crop prices than by other non-economic considerations. Similarly, economic factors play a relatively stronger role in influencing the crop pattern in areas with a better irrigation and infrastructure potential. In such areas, commercialization and market networks co-evolve to make the farmers more dynamic and highly responsive to economic impulses.
Consequences of changes in cropping pattern:
Various initiatives that have led to the changes in cropping pattern as discussed above have also brought in several socio-economic and environmental consequences. Introduction of high yielding verities, hybrids and intensive crop production technologies have fomented, among other things, an increasing tendency towards crop specialization and commercialization of agriculture. While these developments have positive effects on land/labour productivity and net farm income, they also endangered a number of undesirable side effects like reduced farm employment and crop imbalances
and loss of crop diversity at the farm level. Although the expansion of commercialized agriculture has fomented new sets of rural non-farm activities and strengthened the rural-urban growth linkages, it has also weakened the traditional inter-sectoral linkages between the crop and livestock sectors. Besides, crop pattern changes also lead to serious environmental consequences that take such forms as groundwater depletion, soil fertility loss and water logging and salinity - all of which can reduce the productive capacity and growth potential of agriculture over the long-term. Crop diversification as a strategy for food and nutritional security and poverty alleviation: Crop diversification can be used as a strategy for addressing food and nutritional security. The diversification of horticultural crops, especially fruits and vegetables have been very important in ensuring nutrition security. This also has played a pivotal role in poverty reduction. It is not only in the increase of food grain production, but also the production of commercial crops like cotton, oilseeds, sugar cane, fruits and
vegetables as well as livestock production including fisheries have contributed significantly to poverty reduction. Crop diversification can help the farmers in addressing the important determinants of poverty, such as (I) lack of income and purchasing power (ii) lack of productive employment (iii) the continuous increase in price of food, (VI) inadequacy of social infrastructure, affecting the quality of life of the people and their employability. The governments at the centre and the state are focussing on doubling food production with a focus on food grains such as rice, wheat, coarse cereals, pulses; oilseeds; sugar cane; fruits and vegetables; meat; milk and fish. The Action Plan envisages a detailed strategy and specific problems of productivity to substantially increase the supply of various food items in such a way that the demand for such items for the entire population is comfortably met and some exportable surplus also becomes available.
Crop diversification as strategy for issues of natural resource management:
Subdivision and fragmentation of land holdings in the country apart from diversion of cultivable land for various other purposes provide very little scope for further expansion of the net sown area (142 m/ha) and that land scarcity will become an acute feature of the rural economy. Water is another important natural resource which is facing several challenges and there are several concerns regarding water resources in the country and the states. Therefore, a judicious use of land and water resources will have to be thecentral theme for sustainability of agricultural growth. There has been a growing concern in recent years about the deteriorating conditions of soil health and water resources due to unscientific management. The deterioration in land and water resources has been in the form of land degradation, water logging and decline in water table. There is a greater need to have an integrated approach in the management of plant nutrients, chemicals and taking effective measures to deal with the overall pollution problems. There are several possible technologies and alternatives to reduce the use of chemicals in agriculture. Programmes for regeneration of land and water resources need to be strengthened. Scientific crop diversification options are to be planned suiting the land capabilities.
Opportunities in crop diversification due to globalization:
With the advent of WTO and India being a member and signatory to GATT, the scenario of the agricultural sector cannot be the same as that of past. With the liberalization of trade and providing the market access of agricultural produce between the different countries, the country will be required to promote much more diversified agriculture. The crops which are traditionally exported like basmati rice and spices and condiments also need to be supported in terms of area expansion and quality improvement to look towards much more opportunity for export. Crop diversification in the areas of certain tropical fruits and also a few vegetables also need support for both production and postharvest handling in terms of their export opportunity. Accelerated growth in fruits and vegetables production is also required for improved nutrition of the country's population. In future, with improved living standards along with increased purchasing power, more and more people will look for nutritional and quality foods which will also call for greater crop diversification. There are some production areas such as food crops, plantation crops, poultry, dairy, sugar, cotton and oilseeds in which India has made its mark. There are some in which its emerging strength is already evident - sericulture, marine and inland fisheries, for example. There are also others which now attract less attention, but in which the competitive advantages that India possesses can put it on the top of the world. No country grows such a wide range of fruits, vegetables, and flowers and in such abundance as India and yet it has no record worth mentioning in horticultural exports. The rich variety when processed and marketed can help India take care of the health needs of its population besides being
major export commodities.
Research and developmental support for crop diversification:
In order to support the crop diversification, sound research and development initiatives are essential. The future agriculture is much more science knowledge and skill based rather than the traditional subsistence agriculture. In the wake of globalization and opening up of several opportunities in the global market, there will be much more opportunity for entrepreneurship development in agriculture. This also calls for paradigm shifts in research and technology development and also the transfer of technology for successful crop diversification. The research system not only needs to address the issues connected with continuance and indulgence and knowledge in the areas of emerging technologies, but also create a cadre of scientists through the continuous upgrade of skills and human resource development. The researchers also need to popularize the technologies, impart knowledge and skills to the extension functionaries for the transfer of technologies to the farmers. The use of ICT in agriculture can be one solution for transfer of technologies. The revolution brought about by the mobile telecommunication can be used to the advantage of transfer of technologies to the
farmers.
Institutional and infrastructure developments in support of crop diversification:
To sustain and operationalize crop diversification, institutional support is required. Crop diversification in terms of reducing the risk of rain-fed farmers is vital for India. However, crop diversification in well endowed area is more of an economic consideration. The National Agricultural Research System with its Crop and Commodity based Institutions, Natural Research Management Based Institutions and State Agricultural Universities are jointly addressing the issues connected with the crop diversification. The government of India has also developed a counter support mechanism through the establishments of Crop Directorates for each of the major crops and groups of crops for development and technology transfer focus on each of these crops and commodities. These Directorates act as coordinating agencies between the research and development activities on the one hand and between the central and state governments for technology transfer and other promotional activities.
Policies and strategies for crop diversification:
Realizing the importance of crop diversification, the central and state governments have taken several
initiatives. Horticulture sector has been given highest importance considering its importance in nutrition security. Some of the important programs of the government include,(a)launching of National Horticulture Mission (b)Launching of Technology Mission for the Integrated Development of Horticulture in the North-Eastern Region (c)Implementing National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (d) Operationalizing Technology Mission on Cotton(e) Provision of Capital Subsidy for construction/modernization/expansion of cold storages and storages for horticultural produce (f)Creation of Watershed Development Fund at the National level for the development of rain-fed areas.(g) Infrastructure Support for Horticultural Development(h) Strengthening Agricultural Marketing (i)Seed Bank Scheme (k) Cooperative Sector Reforms etc are some examples. Similarly state of Karnataka has also initiated several programs that directly and indirectly support crop diversification in the state.
Maggi with 57 per cent share regains top slot in noodles market
Nestle India's instant noodle brand Maggi, whose sales was severally hit by FSSAI ban last year, has regained its leadership position+ capturing 57 percent share of the market in June this year. Within nine months of its re-launch, Maggi noodles now accounts for 57.1 percent market share of the instant noodles segment riding on its marketing/ branding initiatives and new variants. In November, after five month of ban, the company relaunched Maggi, it had 10.9 percent of the market share, which climbed to 35.2 percent in December, according to a Nestle India presentation made to financial analysts and institutional investors. In March 2016, it had 51 percent market share. Nestle says that it has regained leading market share after growth in India turned positive in June on good progress with relaunch of Maggi noodle. Growth in India turned positive in June due to good progress with the Maggi noodle relaunch and favourable comparables.
Source: www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Mahindra Agri Solutions launches four variants of NuPro pulses in Mumbai
Mahindra Agri Solutions Limited (MASL), a 100 per cent subsidiary of Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd, launched four new varieties of NuPro pulses in Mumbai. The brand’s portfolio includes Chana Dal, Moong Dal, Masoor Dal and Urad Dal.
NuPro pulses are free from chemical ingredients; ensuring consumers of the purest form of pulses.
They are available across 4,300 outlets across Mumbai in packs of 500g and 1kg. We are confident that with Mahindra’s inherent farmer connect and robust quality processes classified under Mahindra Quality Standards (MQS), NuPro will become a preferred brand of pulses in the market,” he added.
Further, NuPro products comply with the most stringent food safety guidelines laid out by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The company also stamps its products with the MQS seal. Mahindra will soon expand its footprint in other related value-added products such as besan and increase in its presence to other neighbouring cities over the next three years.
Source: www.fnbnews.com
Tata Coffee hits 52-week high as Q1 profit more than doubles
Tata Coffee has rallied nearly 15 percent to INR 132, also its 52-week high on the BSE in intra-day trade, after its consolidated net profit more than doubles to INR 64 crore for the quarter ended June (Q1FY17), on the back of strong operational income. The Tata Group Company had registered a profit of INR 27 crore in the corresponding quarter last fiscal. Total income from operations of the company during the quarter under review increased 21 percent year to year at INR 426 crore against INR 352 crore in the corresponding quarter of previous fiscal. The raw material costs declined 14 percent to INR 125 crore in Q1FY17 from INR 146 crore in the year-ago quarter.
Source: www.business-standard.com
FSSAI makes draft standards on making instant noodles public
Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) has been putting public domain by draft of standards regarding manufacturing of instant noodles, specifying the ingredients used, quality and safety parameters.
Minister of state for health Faggan Singh Kulaste, says that “ the raw material can be prepared from wheat flour and/or rice flour and/or flour of any other cereals, millets, legumes and water as the main ingredients, with or without addition of spices”. Kulaste also says starches, dried fruits and vegetables, nuts, edible protein and egg powder may be added, if required. The standards also provide that the product shall be of good characteristic colour, appearance, texture, aroma and taste and shall
be free from added colour, undesirable taste, dirt, insect’s larvae and impurities or any other extraneous matter.
The limits for moisture, acid insoluble ash and acid value have also been specified in these standards.
The minister said in case of any violation of labelling requirement, action under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 and regulations they will be undertaken by the state authorities concerned.
Source: www.financial express.com
Kwality Milk Foods launches milkshakes, flavoured milk in three flavours
Kwality Milk Foods Ltd launched milkshakes in three flavours (vanilla, strawberry and chocolate), flavoured milk in three flavours (Badam Drink, Strawberry Delight and Chocolate Treat), UHT milk, canned drinks and malt-based foods. The company has a state-of-the-art UHT milk processing plant for manufacturing liquid milk. It is among the few companies which offer UHT milk in multi-layered pouch packs and multi-layered laminate packs. It has a shelf life of three months.
Kwality Milk Foods Ltd will soon roll out badam milk and flavoured milk in 200ml cans. It expects very substantial markets in India and the Middle East. The company has set up a plant to manufacture malt-based food under the brand name Molto. It intends to launch both brown and white malt products.
Source: www.fnbnews.com
At New Sardar Market, Surat APMC to set up fruit pulp processing plant
The Surat Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee will soon set up a processing plant
for fruit pulp at New Sardar Market in the city, which is slated to become operational in December 2017. The processing fruits will be such as mangoes (on a seasonal basis), guavas, papayas, pineapples and tomatoes. The pulp will be exported to companies based in the United Kingdom, the United States and the Middle East.”
The plant would be set up for benefit of the farmers. Most of the time, when the prices of these fruits
decrease, we will process them into pulp and export it, giving good returns to the farmers.” The facility will have a capacity of 72 metric tonne per day.
Source: www.fnbnews.com
Lavazza India launches Single Serve & Oro Aroma in Made in India range
Lavazza India extended its portfolio with the launch of two new products - Single Serve and Oro Aroma - in its Made in India range. Single Serve marks the company’s foray into the sachet segment in India, whereas Oro Aroma is an addition to Lavazza’s existing range of coffee beans. It has the sweet and fruity notes of dates, and can be served as an espresso, cappuccino or a latte macchiato.
Source: www.fnbnews.com
ICRISAT, SAARC arm sign pact
South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the International Crops Research
Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) have signed an agreement. SAARC’s Agriculture Centre (SAC) and ICRISAT would work on building a network to accelerate the use of technologies in agriculture in the eight South Asian countries. “ICRISAT and SAC will look for opportunities to carry out joint research in areas of mutual interest by sharing existing resources .This will contribute to the mediumterm food and nutritional security in the region,” said ICRISAT Director General David Bergvinson . The poor people of these areas are also the most vulnerable to climate change and variability.
The research would focus on developing technologies that can improve production and increase sustained productivity in stress prone areas. This will help smallholder farmers to adopt these new and improved technologies to increase food production and raise their incomes in areas of limited water.
Source: www.thehindubusinessline.com
NCDEX rejects 50% coriander on quality issues
The National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange have rejected 50 percent of the coriander bought
into its approved warehouse following complaints on quality by traders. In past one year, the exchange had to suspend trading in castorseed and chana due to sharp run up in prices and regulatory
issues.
The exchange has received complaints from traders about possibility of coriander of inferior quality being deposited at the exchange-approved warehouses. Following this, the exchange deployed its officials at various delivery locations to monitor quality of deposits and sensitise warehouse service provides to traders’ concerns. It also appointed an independent assayer to conduct quality audits of stocks in approved warehouses. The exchange has mandated a stringent process for accepting deposits at the approved warehouses, besides putting in place suitable controls to ensure that warehouses always adhere to norms.
Source: www.thehindubusinessline.com
IRRI wants Asian rice growers’ action plan
The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is pushing for rice research and innovation collaboration among rice-growing countries in Asia, in time for an upcoming ASEAN conference on agriculture and forestry in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
Dr. Matthew Morell, IRRI director general, says a 10-point action plan before agriculture leaders to ensure that rice remains available and affordable across the region will be introduced, especially amid the challenges brought about by climate change. The initiative aims to create technology collaboration between the countries that may improve the genetic resources of rice varieties. The venture also hopes to develop rice varieties that are adaptive to region-specific conditions of drought,
flooding and salinity.
In 2013, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh entered into a similar agreement which allowed the sharing of rice varieties between these countries. “Now is the time for ASEAN to make this commitment. A joint investment in rice breeding can achieve food security for the entire region as well as create inclusive economic growth in the rice industry,” says Morell.
Source: www.mb.com.ph
ICRISAT, IIMR, Karnataka govt to promote millets
The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR) and the Karnataka Government will form a consortium along with other stakeholders to promote millets.
The consortium will work on product development and build a brand for Karnataka ragi (finger millet).They are highly nutritious and have health benefits, use less water and have high drought tolerance and increasing their market value benefits farmers,” says David Bergvinson, Director-General of ICRISAT. The stakeholders agreed to work on an action plan that would include forming a
public private consortium of partners. A more detailed road map will be planned over the next few months.
Source: www.thehindubusinessline.com
Pulses production may exceed 20 Mt in FY17
Pulses production may touch a record 20 million tonnes (Mt) in 2016-17 (highest since 1957) as
the sowing of pulses increased by 35.46 percent in the ongoing kharif season. Encouraged by better returns, farmers have diverted to pulses from rice, coarse grains and soybean in many states.
The rise of INR 600 per quintal in average pulse MSP has played a major role in the increase in area sown under pulse and eventually higher production. As per data from the agriculture department of India, area under pulses has reached 13.60 million hectares as against 10.05 million hectares in corresponding period of 2015. Rise in pulse MSPs and extraction of higher yields per hectare from sugarcane plantations through the use of technology and fertilisers has extensively helped these
agricultural gains.
About 67 percent of domestic pulse production takes place during the rabi season and an additional 13 Mt are expected to enter the market by the end of Q4 2016- 17 and beginning of next financial year. With domestic demand for pulses of about 24 Mt for the current year, a shortfall of 3.2 Mt is expected. India's agreement with African countries such as Mozambique for import of pulses will further adds five million tonnes of buffer stock to this aggregate.
Source:www.business-standard.com
FCI restricts wheat sale to bulk buyers
The Food Corporation of India has decided to restrict the upper limit of wheat a trader or bulk consumer may buy at a single e-auction in open market sales, from 5,000 tonnes till now to only 500 tonnes.
The aim is to ensure against hoarding by bulk buyers, with apprehension of a repeat on what had happened with pulses last year (surging prices and record high import of six million tonnes) and then for sugar, where a situation of plenty got converted to scarcity. As for wheat, part of the staple diet for so many Indians, its price in the Delhi market has risen by 16 percent since April. It appears the prices would stay firm, as supply is dwindling.
The stock with the government is falling and the new crop will come only in March. It is estimated to be better, due to enough rain in this kharif season (and if winter is also satisfactory). However, falling stocks will keep the market tight. Globally, as wheat prices are down 12 percent since April, the government will be opening the doors for import.
Source: www.Business-standard.com
Agri scientists identify 8 varieties of wheat for better yield
Agriculture scientists have identified eight varieties of wheat and one of barley across the country, says officials of the Haryana government. This was informed at the '55th All India Wheat & Barley Research Workers' meet. About 500 participants including scientists from all over the country took part in the four-day event. The aim of the event is to increase the productivity of wheat, the plenary session came with the recommendation of eight wheat varieties and one barley variety in various zones of India.
In North-Eastern Zone consisting of the states, namely, UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal (excluding hills), Orissa, Assam, two varieties - HD 3171 and K 1317 were identified on the basis of their superiority of yield along with resistance to leaf rust and leaf blight diseases. In the Central Zone's Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Kota and Udaipur divisions of Rajasthan and Jhansi division of UP, a pasta product making variety HI 8759 (d) was identified because of its superiority in yield
along with resistance to rusts and nutrient quality.
For Peninsular Zone comprising Maharashtra and Karnataka, a durum wheat variety - 3949 (d) and a variety for chapati making - HI 1605 were identified. For North Western Plain Zone, the variety -PBW 723 was identified because of resistance to yellow rust races over parental variety PBW 343. In addition, a barley variety -- DWRB 123 was identified due to superiority in yield and quality.
Source: www.business-standard.com
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