Pune International Centre releases policy paper on agricultural reforms

The Pune International Centre (PIC) recently released a policy paper on “Institutional and Policy Reforms to Accelerate Agriculture Growth in Maharashtra”.

 

Speaking at the launch, Pratap Pawar, chairman, PIC at MCCIA, said, “Many institutions are working hard to reform agricultural policies in India. It is very crucial to receive and impart knowledge through such policies and it should be imparted to farmers as well.”

 

Presenting the report, Umesh Sarangi, former Chairman, NABARD, listed out several challenges in land reforms in the agricultural domain in Maharashtra and what can be done to make them more viable. “The restrictive provisions in the tenancy laws should be scrapped and the leasing in and out of the land should be made legal and hassle-free. If that is done, then tenants will be able to avail themselves of credit, insurance and other opportunities,” he said.

 

He also advocated the use of Genetically Modified (GM) crop in India to withstand pests, drought and increase productivity. “Adoption of GM crop technology has reduced use of chemical pesticides by 37 per cent, increased crop yields by 22 per cent and increased farmers profit by 68 per cent. Policymakers should also adopt a one water pricing method and implement it for all uses of water across the state,” he added.

 

Anil Supanekar, trustee, PIC, said, “Agriculture data needs to be reliable and with ‘high frequency’ that will reflect the necessary details and scope of the problem at a basic level. The Union government should establish a central-level institution with state-level branches for data management.”

 

Vishal Gaikwad, research scholar, GIPE, said, “If we look at agriculture as an industry, then many of our problems will be solved. Maharashtra’s economy continues to be agrarian as a majority of the population is dependent on agriculture. The challenges it faces include low productivity, lack of diversification, water and post-harvest facilities.”