The agriculture sector which accounts for 13% of the gross domestic product (GDP) has to support 64% of the population. This ratio may further widen with the global meltdown affecting sectors of mass employment like textiles and leather. A paradigm shift in agriculture practices from soil management to product processing was essential for a holistic development of the agriculture sector, A Vellayan, vice-chairman of the Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) and vice-chairman of the Murugappa group, said.

Stating that the private sector could play a key role in this , he said SICCI was partnering with the Tamil Nadu Agriculture Department to create awareness among farmers and other stakeholders about the need for change and to bring global best practices to the farms in the State. He said State chambers in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka also would be following SICCI?s footsteps to make a national impact.

With the increasing number of people to be fed, the falling agriculture land area and soil fertility, stress on water, decline in farm workers, and stagnant farm productivity there was need for producing more from less land, increasing the crop for every drop of water and reducing the cost of production of all crops,Vellayan told a a two-day summit and exhibition with the theme `Revitalisation of Agriculture inTamil Nadu?.

Various stakeholders from villages, agriculture university, seeds and tissue culture sapling producers, fertiliser companies, irrigation and farm equipment manufacturer and suppliers are participating in the event.

Vellayan said the conclusions and suggestions that would crystallise during the two-day deliberations would be submitted to the government for policy decisions and action plans.

SICCI suggests that the state governments have to come out with new policy directions to achieve better results. Use of hybrid as genetically improved seed varieties, contract farming, farm mechanisation, micro irrigation and precision farming, and application of organic and water solubile chemical fertilisers are among the proposals SICCI has made.

Studies have shown that the share of land owned by the small and marginal farmers has increased from 42% in 1997 to 55% in 2001. SICCI says that, ?this is one of the major hurdles in promoting capital investment in the agriculture sector. Contract farming has to be encouraged for the better utilisation of modern agriculture practices??.

Yield gap between the potential and the actual is said to be about 50% in India. Only in the case of paddy there is a better trend. SICCI says that, ?this is largely because of non-adoption of new technology. We need to increase substantially the investment in the field of crop breeding and biotechnology. Fertiliser wastage in Indian farms is said to be around 40%. There is also an over-dose of nitrogen. SICCI suggests that, ?this can be corrected by scientific and balanced use of nutrients, soil testing and determining the right quantity and quality of fertilisers to be supplied and increased use of water soluble fertilisers.?

The depletion of the organic matter and micronutrients in the farm soil is a matter of great concern as it affects farm productivity. SICCI suggests use of organic manure. It has called for increased mechanisation of farm operations to raise productivity and also to tackle the shortage of farm labour.

Vellayan said that the SICCI suggestion was that ?mechanisation should be encouraged especially in crops like paddy and sugarcane, and as a long-term measure there should be increased investment in the R & D of agricultural machinery and equipment to suit the small and fragmented landholdings.?

He also called for micro irrigation to mitigate water scarcity. ?Effective use of available water would not only enhance production but also help bringing more areas under cultivation,? he said.