‘Need PPP at district level to build agri-value chain’

NEW DELHI: A public-private partnership (PPP) at district level is need of the hour to build a robust agri-value chain system, National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA) CEO Ashok Dalwai said on Thursday.

Instead of supply-driven economy, the focus should be on market-driven economy and encouraging production of those crops which are in demand, he said.

Also, the focus of the agripolicy should be on growing crops with less water as 52 per cent of the country's agriculture still remains rainfed, he added.

Addressing an Assocham event, Dalwai said rather than producing wheat and rice, more focus should be on growing crops like bajra and jowar for providing nutritional security. There is a need to produce food keeping in mind nutritional security as well as the needs of the agro- processing industry, he said in a statement.

Emphasising the importance of a robust agri-value chain system, Dalwai suggested that the way forward is to have PPP at district level to create an integrated value-chain system.

From farmers, manufacturers to traders and packing industry in the private sector can partner with the government and take the responsibility of building a value chain.

The official also talked about the importance of market- driven agri-market that will help farmers get good returns, and need to connect production centres with consumer centres for the benefit of farmers and consumers.