The Hindu Business Line : TN urged to boost contract farming

Chennai, Feb. 13 The Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry has urged the Tamil Nadu Government to encourage contract farming, mechanisation and increase investments in crop breeding programmes and biotechnology.

Addressing the two-day regional agri summit 2009, Mr A. Vellayan, the conference Chairman, and Vice-Chairman, E.I.D. Parry, said the share of small and marginal farming has increased to 55 per cent from 42 per cent in the last 30 years.

This is one of the major hurdles in promoting capital investment in the sector. SICCI urged that contract farming be encouraged for better utilisation of modern agricultural practices.

Like China, the Government here has to increase investments in crop breeding programmes and biotechnology.

This would help to address the yield gap – the difference in the output achieved in the field as compared to the potential yield – which is a major factor contributing to the stagnation in agriculture.

Revitalisation

Addressing a press conference following the inauguration, Mr Vellayan said the theme of the seminar was revitalisation of agriculture in Tamil Nadu.

The State should look at a holistic approach to rejuvenating the agriculture sector. States such as Punjab, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh have focussed programmes in agriculture that has contributed to augmenting the income for farmers.

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