Agriculture continues to be a powerful engine for rural prosperity, economic growth, and social transformation the world over, especially in developing countries. In India, Africa, and many Asian countries, agriculture holds critical importance to the economy, as in the developing world, 40%–70% of the population directly depends on the farm sector for its livelihood and sustenance. Agriculture in India and globally is undergoing a rapid transformation post-WTO regime, governing the global trade in food and agriculture.
Indian agriculture and farmers, as well as agro-industries, are presently passing through a critical phase, but there is no credible body to articulate its views and take up issues at the national and international level. In this context, there is a long-felt need for an apex body that could act as a think tank, information bank, advocacy group, watchdog, development catalyst, trade, technology, and investment facilitator, and monitoring centre for the food and agriculture sectors at the national and global level. This should act as a parallel to trade bodies like CII, FICCI, etc. but be different from them in scope and objectives to represent not only the interests of the industry but also the sector as a whole, including the farming community.
The fast-changing trade and economic environment globally requires a paradigm shift in our approach. We have to act proactively and respond positively to the changing dynamics of global trade and agriculture. The benchmarks are now global, and we have to prepare our policies and strategies with a global perspective. Though the country has become self-reliant in food grain production, its average productivity and quality are low and the cost of production is high, which makes Indian agriculture less competitive in the world market. Therefore, there is a need for global cooperation in agriculture and a much greater need for boosting trade in food and agriculture. This sector also promises great potential for start-up ventures and entrepreneurship opportunities, which ICFA keeps facilitating from a broader perspective.
A paradigm shift is required in our approach to agriculture, from production to marketing, from quantity to quality, and from domestic to international consumers. Agriculture has to be practised on scientific lines with the use of the best technologies that are available globally if it is to compete globally in cost and quality. A major program on crop shifting has to be implemented, taking into account global benchmarking and our core competitive strengths in various crops. The importance of internal reforms and direction for the sector is enhanced by the centrality of food and agriculture in global trade post-WTO.
There are, however, contradictions in our policies with a compartmentalized approach due to the absence of a dialogue mechanism among various stakeholder groups. The Government, policymakers, research bodies, extension agencies, industry, development institutions, and farmer groups think in different directions, often with contradictory approaches, for the same ultimate cause. As within the food and agro- industry there are different bodies for specific interest areas, ICFA, in its functioning, considers all these effectively and gets involved in policy advocacy and policy interventions to meet the expectations of all concerned stakeholders.
Every major input and every major farm output industry has its own interest groups and representative bodies, but there is no coordination, while the major issues concern all of them and their target groups are farmers on the one hand and consumers on the other, who are common to all of them. This underlines the need for such a body, which encompasses compartmentalized approaches and strives for consensus on major issues and reconciliations of approaches by creating proper understanding and opinions on major issues that concern Indian agriculture, farmers, and the agri-food industry. And at the same time, it works on policy issues, promotes investments and agribusinesses, facilitates cooperation in trade and technologies, and unleashes the potential of food and agriculture globally.
Step into the world of the Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture (ICFA), formerly known as the Indian Council of Food and Agriculture. Founded in 2015, our roots run deep in the rich soil of the food and agriculture industries. With every step we take, we promise to perform with unwavering responsibility and deliver with utmost trust. As the sun kisses the vibrant fields of opportunity, we extend our invitation to partners and clients alike, beckoning you to join us on this extraordinary journey. Let us weave a tapestry of success together, harnessing the power of innovation, collaboration, and unwavering dedication.