I am happy to launch Indian Council of Food and Agriculture. India needed for long a body like this and I am sure ICFA will effectively represent the interests of various stake-holders to help Indian agriculture. Farmers need voice and I urge ICFA to work towards empowering farmers.
Our first Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru had given a call of Jai Jawan and Jai Kisan (long live soldiers and long live farmers). The time has come to care for farmers. Prime Minister, Mr. Modi has announced renaming the agriculture ministry as the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. We hope, ICFA will be able to work with the Government on the agenda of farmers' welfare.
I am glad to see that Indian Council of Food and Agriculture is being launched today. India's farm sector is looking for policy support. Our Government is fully committed to strengthen agriculture to help improve social and economic condition of farmers. ICFA can play a great role in creating understanding and consensus on major issues concerning farmers and Indian agriculture.
Problems of India agriculture are largely known to us but innovative solution are required to address the lot of farmers. ICFA can work on major issues to support the Governments by mobilizing national and global expertise, investments and technologies in agriculture.
Indian agriculture has come a long way from the days of “ship to mouth” in fifties and early sixties to now a situation of surplus production in major grains, post Green Revolution. The time has come for Indian food and agriculture to go global. Indian Council of Food and Agriculture is uniquely placed to facilitate trade, partnerships and global cooperation in food and agriculture.
We realized the need for creating an apex body in food and agriculture to work on trade and policy issues and represent the interests of various stake-holders at the national and global level and thus started consultations way back in 2003. I am sure ICFA will deliver for Indian farmers and for global food trade and agriculture.
Indian agri culture has got tremendous potential but it needs transition to become more market oriented for farmers to get best returns. I see great role for ICFA in connecting farmers with the markets nationally and globally by promoting trade and agribusinesses.
The issue of climate change and its impact on agriculture are a major concern to food security globally. In India the issues of GMO, bio-diversity and environmental sustainability need thorough debating and a consensus need to evolve. I see important role for ICFA in creating awareness and facilitating consensus on important issues concerning India and the world.
The new body, Indian Council of Food and Agriculture is a wonderful concept, which can work on food policy issues, agribusiness growth, creation of value chain especially in developing countries. ICFA can also work on developmental programs by forging national and global partnerships and thus play its role in global food and nutrition security and in creating opportunities for resource poor rural population.
ICFA shall work to wards highlighting the challenges faced by trade and agribusinesses in an environment which is becoming increasingly risk-prone and unpredictable. The Council shall focus on policy issues related to environmentally, socially and economically sustainable ways of building resilience and empowering resource poor farmers on one hand and facilitating global trade and marketing by promoting entire value chain - from “farm to plate”.
India and Netherlands have got strong scope for cooperation and partnerships in food, agriculture and dairy sectors. ICFA can play critical role in bringing agro food industry and entrepreneurs of the two countries closer and facilitate greater cooperation.
India is leading producer of milk, horticulture and a number of agricultural items but as we know the processing and value added activities are low and producers market connect is the major challenge, resulting into low returns from farming. ICFA can play a critical role in connecting the farmers with the market and accelerate the growth of agribusinesses.
I am happy to know about the launch of Indian Council of Food and Agriculture with its mandate of serving as the global platform for partnerships to wards unleashing the potential of food and agriculture. ICFA can do great service to the farmers and global food and agro industry
India has got everything that a robust agriculture needs, but we are still lagging much behind the global average in yields and in exports. We need best of global technologies, need investments in agriculture and above all we need to position Indian food and agriculture globally. I am looking up to Indian Council of Food and Agriculture to play that role and facilitate the Government of Haryana in finding solutions to the problems we are facing.
I am truly impressed by the entrepreneurial zeal in Young India and its achievements in ICT and other areas. Indian agriculture has also come a long way from the deficit days to surplus situation. However the qualitative improvement in production and food safety and standards can help the country greatly access the global market potential and thus help farmers substantially improve their income levels. ICFA can play an important role.
“The food processing sector is of enormous significance for India's development as it provides an important link between agriculture and manufacturing. The food processing sector will help ensure better remuneration and market access for farmers and also reduce high level of wastages. ICFAI will help develop food processing industry which will ensure value addition and generate additional employment opportunities thus leading to better socio economic condition of our society.”
ICFA is doing tremendous work towards promoting agriculture agenda and empowering farmers. ICFA should work jointly with the industry towards highlighting the challenges faced by farmers and preparing them for climate smart agriculture. The council should also work on promoting investments, technologies and entrepreneurship in agriculture sector.
“The new think tank for Indian agriculture, ICFA can exhort agriculture Industry to look ahead of the curve, unleashing the potential of India's food and agriculture sector. ICFA can represent the interests of all the stakeholders at the national level on one hand and position India's food and agriculture sector globally on the other hand.
