GOI also sponsored the proposal of International Year of Millet – 2023 (IYM) which was accepted by UNGA (United Nations General Assembly) and this proposal was supported by 72 countries globally. Millets can play an important role and contribute to our collective efforts to empower smallholder farmers, achieve sustainable development, eliminate hunger, adapt to climate change, promote biodiversity, and transform Agri food systems.

Most important thing about millets is that it uses 70% less water than rice; grow in half the time of wheat; and need 40% less energy in processing. They are hardy crops that can withstand extreme heat conditions.

So, KCCI supports this initiative of celebrating 2023 as International Year of Millets for the year 2023.

• Preamble: Technology in agriculture can be used in different aspects of agriculture such as the application of herbicide, pesticide, fertilizer, and improved seed.
• Over the years, technology has proved to be extremely useful in the agricultural sector.
  • Presently, farmers are able to grow crops in areas where they were thought could not grow, but this is only possible through agricultural technology.

The following deliberations could be taken up under the above:

Related Challenges?

• Education and Training Related:
  • Lack of knowledge
  • Inadequate skills
  • Lack of improved skills
• Technology and Infrastructure:
  • Poor infrastructure
  • Lack of storage
  • Lack of transport
• Economic and Policy issues:
  • Lack of Money
  • Access to credit
  • Lack of access to Bank Loans
• Climate and Environmental Issues:
  • Poor soils
  • Soil fertility
  • Unreliable rainfall
  • Natural disasters such as floods, frost, hail storm

• AgriStack: The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has planned creating ‘AgriStack’ - a collection of technology-based interventions in agriculture.
• Digital Agriculture Mission: This has been initiated for 2021 -2025 by the government for projects based on new technologies like artificial intelligence, block chain, remote sensing and GIS technology, use of drones and robots etc.
• Unified Farmer Service Platform (UFSP): UFSP is a combination of Core Infrastructure, Data, Applications and Tools that enable seamless interoperability of various public and private IT systems in the agriculture ecosystem across the country
• National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture (NeGP-A): A Centrally Sponsored Scheme, it was initially launched in 2010-11 in 7 pilot States, which aims to achieve rapid development in India through use of ICT for timely access to agriculture related information to the farmers.
  • In 2014-15, the scheme was further extended for all the remaining States and 2 UTs.
• Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM):
  • Under this Scheme, subsidies are provided for purchase of various types of agricultural equipment and machinery.
  • Other Digital Initiatives: Kisan Call Centres, Kisan Suvidha App, Agri Market App, Soil Health Card (SHC) Portal, etc.

• The use of technology has defined the 21st century. As the world moves toward quantum computing, AI, big data, and other new technologies, India has a tremendous opportunity to reap the advantage of being an IT giant and revolutionize the farming sector. While the green revolution led to an increase in agricultural production, the IT revolution in Indian farming must be the next big step.
• There need to be immense efforts to improve the capacities of the farmers in India – at least until the educated young farmers replace the existing under-educated small and medium farmers.
• Technology in agriculture has the potential to truly lead India to be “Atmanirbhar Bharat” in all respects, and be less dependent on extraneous factors.

Preamble

The FPOs are formed to improve farmer presence in the market, enable them to access available resources and as a result, better value for their produce. FPOs can leverage the strength of collectivization to facilitate farmers with ample number of opportunities to become a key stakeholder in the Value chain

The following deliberations could be taken up under the above:

Agriculture is one the most important sector of the Indian Economy and playing bigger role in India’s gross domestic product (GDP) and employment.

The Government of India and State’s Government focuses on Farmer Collectives model for bringing the farmers together, to represent themselves in the market and leveraging on the power of aggregation and collectivisation, The Government of India has also taken concerted efforts to incentivise farmers to promote Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs). The government will promote setting up of more Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in the country as part of its efforts to increase income of small and marginal farmers.

• Preamble: Investments in the Food Processing sector is a much required need and can take the form of both hard and soft infrastructure covering technology development and adoption and investments in human capital and market led research
• The following deliberations could be taken up under the above:
  • Discussion on investment experiences in the area of food processing
  • Issues in Market Research in Food and Agribusiness especially in light of little quantitative data available: View of Market Researchers
  • Attempts & Experiences of Government and State Agencies in attracting investments
  • Key Policy initiatives towards attracting investments in Food Processing

• Preamble: Opportunities in the Food Processing sector in various segments
• The following deliberations could be taken up under the above:
  • Discussion on business opportunities in the area of food processing
  • The emergence of new food categories(such as Frozen/RTE/ Functional Foods) and the market for these products
  • Fruits and Vegetables: What’s hot and what isn’t: A view from the retailers
  • Organics: Is there a market in India? How to make it more widely acceptable?
  • Marine and Fish markets: Schemes & Opportunities
  • Meet & Poultry: Opportunities at Large
  • Dairy Products: Potential and Pitfalls
  • Tea & Coffee: Rejuvenating the Sector
  • Snacks & Bakery: A key segment for the Industries
  • Beverages: Beyond the limit
  • Food Ingredients & Spices: Government Efforts & Export Potential

• Preamble: It is now a well acknowledged fact that the changes in the economy and awareness of the Indian populace are exerting profound changes on the constitution of the Food Basket.
• The following segments of food processing could be taken up:
  • Price Rise and Inflation: Effect on the food basket: An economic think tank’s view
  • Achieve the Dream target $5Trillion Economy

• Preamble: The fortunes of the food industry are intimately linked to the introduction of appropriate technologies and enabling their speedy adoption by the users.
• Packaging Technology: A Key for Industries
• Cold Chain Storage & Technology: Prevent Losses; Better business
• The following deliberations could be taken up:
  • Discussion on case studies of technology innovations in food and agriculture and the resultant effect on business and stakeholders
  • Discussion on issues related to R&D in technology and possible solutions from the industry
  • Discussion on development of standards for technologies in Indian context: Case example of Cold Chain Technology standardization by NHB
  • Examples of Successes in overcoming Skill Gaps by corporates and the attempt of the Government bodies in this area
  • Effect of mobile and internet on the stakeholders in the Food & agribusiness sector.
  • The impact of new technologies like Artificial intelligence, Augmented & Virtual Reality Tech

• Preamble: Trade linkages form the bedrock for any progress in food and agriculture. It is pertinent that not only the government but also the stakeholders take a conscious view of making inter-dependencies more efficient in order to increase value capture.
• The following deliberations could be taken up:
  • The role of government in strengthening trade ties: A view from the Ministry of Commerce on treaties and trade agreements
  • Issues in Food Quarantine and Exports: Views from APEDA and Ministry of Food Processing , Ministry of Agriculture
  • Cold Chain logistic & Supply

• Preamble: Regulatory and policy issues have the potential to fast-track investments and alter investment climate and in this line, the following could be discussed:
  • PPP in food processing: Is it as promising as it seems? : Views from MoFPI
  • Regulatory concerns and facilitation measures: Views from Ministry and Stakeholders

• Preamble: Food Safety, Quality & certifications are the 3 parameters and a rigorous system to manage risks and provide safe products for use by companies. Following could be discussed:
  • How to deliver consistent? Globally recognized food safety and quality certification Help?
  • What is New? An overview summary of the changes
  • Prepare for new regulations