Partner us, Pawar invites private players

In a bid to ensure more investments for agriculture and agricultural research, the government is pushing for an increased private presence i...

In a bid to ensure more investments for agriculture and agricultural research, the government is pushing for an increased private presence in the sector.

Addressing an auditorium packed with industry representatives and ICAR scientists, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said that though private investments in the farm sector had been flagging in recent years, private-public partnerships were the way of the future.

8216;8216;To improve the standard of living of farmers and promote agricultural growth, you need substantial investment from the public and the private sectors. We won8217;t be able to achieve the planned target on our own,8217;8217; Pawar told the ICAR-Industry meet on Agriculture Transformation Through Public-Private Partnership.

A road map and a strategy for private-public partnership in agriculture is the expected outcome of the two-day interface.

8216;8216;While facilities in the private sector are needed to scale up innovations, research institutes serve as incubators for new ideas and processes,8217;8217; said Pawar.

Holding up the example of the Indo-US Knowledge Initiative, DG ICAR Dr Mangala Rai said that the initiative was another area where private-public partnership is being pushed.

8216;8216;Research and technology can be developed8230; be it biotechnology or increasing the shelf life of he brinjal, there are vast areas to be explored,8217;8217; said Rai. 8216;8216;I believe India8217;s transformation will depend on technology-led growth in agriculture.8217;8217;

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On a completely different note, Pawar announced that the issue of increasing the price and reducing the quantity of foodgrains available through the public distribution system to people above the poverty line would be resolved in a couple of months.

The upcoming assembly elections in a number of states is said to be the reason for the postponement of the implementation of the Cabinet decision. UPA allies had raised a furore on the issue after it was announced.

8216;8216;Since some of the leaders are busy with elections and the real situation on food grain procurement scenario will emerge later, we will take a consensus decision within one or two months,8217;8217; Pawar said.

The move is designed to cut down food subsidy for 2005-06 by Rs 4,524 crore and to stop depleting buffer food grains stocks. In 2000, the food subsidy was Rs 9,000 crore; it now touches Rs 26,000 crore.

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The Cabinet decided late last year that APL allocations per family would be 20 kg down from 35 kg, while BPL and Antyodaya families could claim 30 kg instead of 35 kg each.

Some of the private company participants at today8217;s meet included representatives of Mahyco Research Foundation, Biotech Vaccine, Venkateshwara Hatcheries, Kotak Industries and various industry associations.

8216;8216;To improve yield we need a very strong public and private partnership,8217;8217; said B R Barwale, chairman, Mahyco Research Foundation. 8216;8216;There is a need to have bilateral agreements. Also, secrecy should be maintained to attract more partnerships.8217;8217;