‘In 3 years, we will witness farmers’ income growing’
Our focus should shift from production to increasing consumption within and outside the country: Rajju Shroff.
While farmers’ protests continue in Delhi, experts say that implementing new policies can help increase farmers’ income. In a conversation with The Sunday Guardian, Rajju Shroff, chairman of the Crop Care Federation of India (CCFI), shared his views about the state of agriculture in the country, the case for increasing farmers’ income and why health myths about use of pesticides in farms are baseless. Excerpts: Q: What are your reflections over the current state of agriculture and farmers in the country? A: India’s agriculture is quite advanced and we have good production. But our problem lies in the poor storage facilities, inefficient transport and lack of marketing for our produce. The pockets where we have done good work have given us results. For example, in a tribal Gujarat region, we invested in the knowledge of local farmers, provided them with high quality seeds, helped them connect with the market and now there are trucks lined up there waiting to take away the produce. A tribal Gujarat farmer who was earning only Rs 15,000-16,000, is now earning Rs 30,000 a month. It has helped their entire families evolve. But of course, rural Gujarat has good roads, so connectivity was easier. However, we can use similar models in other areas like Naxal regions that are affected by violence and help tribals there to change their lives for better. Q: What are the solutions? A: We have both types of stories where, on the one hand, we see farmers prospering and on the other hand, there are farmers who are forced to commit suicide. This is why we insist on infrastructure. Even without good rains, farmers can grow. Technology has advanced, but we need better roads and electricity so that water can be brought to them, as less or more, rains come eventually. There are potato farmers in India who are millionaires because they have kept pace with technology. However, it should also be noted that in 2015, 133,623 suicides were reported in India of which less than 10% (12,603) were of farmers. Q: How can this vast gap be filled? A: There are examples where governments and farmers have worked together and prospered. No matter how good scientific knowledge we have to improve our yield, if it does not reach the markets where its requirement is high or if we do not create markets for this high produce and promote it well, then no extent of storage technology will be able to help us. So states where the farmers’ protests have been on the rise need to reflect upon these questions and improve the system. I am optimistic about the new policy that aims to double farmers’ income and I feel that we will not have to wait for five years, but in three years, we will witness farmers’ income growing. Farmers need demonstration, not lectures. They will be self-motivated to adopt new ways and become entrepreneurial if they are able to see the progress and success of other farmers. Q: How can farmers’ income be doubled? A: Our focus should shift from production to increasing consumption within and outside the country. In order to bring price stability in domestic market, we must access foreign markets. India’s share is less than $35 billion in global agricultural exports which is $1,500 billion. One way is to increase our agricultural exports to $100 billion by 2022. Q: You have challenged the myths surrounding the use of pesticides that lead to cancer. How can the general public understand this contradiction? A: There is no truth in these myths. These are lies that are propagated to affect our agricultural growth. You can look at the report drafted by the Centre for Environment and Agrochemicals (CENTEGRO) to know that the health scare is baseless. The study has debunked popular notions that farmers inject hormones and colouring chemicals into fruits and vegetables to improve their growth. Organic farming is not sustainable because of low yield and the need for huge amount of unavailable manure. Farmers spend on crop protection chemicals is just 1% of the value of total agriculture production. The health scare about pesticide residues in food is a malafide campaign propagated by foreign- funded NGOs to tarnish Indian agriculture. The incidence of cancer in India—a global leader in agriculture—is way below than the world average. However, Singapore, with almost no agriculture, has higher incidence of cancer than India. The gems and jewellery sector plays a significant role in the Indian economy, contributing around 6-7% of the country’s GDP. It is one of the fastest growing sectors, being extremely export oriented and labour intensive. Seeing the potential for growth and value addition, Government of India has declared the gems and jewellery sector as a focus area for export promotion. It has recently undertaken various measures to promote investment and to upgrade technology and skills to promote “Brand India” in the international market. India is deemed to be a hub of the global jewellery market because of its low cost and availability of high-skilled labour. It is also the world’s largest cutting and polishing centre for diamonds. Moreover, India exports 95% of the world’s diamonds, as per statistics from the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council, and has been contributing in a big way to the country’s foreign exchange earnings. The Indian government presently allows 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in the sector through the automatic route. The US, Russia, Singapore, Hong Kong, UAE, Latin America and China are the biggest importers of Indian jewellery, with exports to the US rising 7.81% yearon-year in October-December 2016, due to a revival in the overall economic activity in the US. The overall net exports of gems and jewellery during April-December 2016 stood at Rs 175,879 crore, whereas exports of cut and polished diamonds stood at Rs 113,171.17 crore, while exports of gold coins and medallions stood at Rs 25,819.48 crore and silver jewellery export stood at Rs 18,010.72 crore. Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri Limited is a 150-year-old jewellery manufacturer, which began operations from a single store at Zaveri Bazaar in Mumbai. Over the years it has established itself to become one of the leading premium jewellery brands in the country. The company is renowned for its exclusive jewellery designs manufactured through world class processes and technology conforming to the highest specifications. The company’s in-house design strength, combined with traditional craftsmanship along with modern research and diamond jewellery manufacturing capability results in Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri being a market leader in the sector. The stock currently quoting at Rs 100 is an excellent buy with long term investment perspective for portfolio investors. Rajiv Kapoor is a share broker, certified mutual fund expert and MDRT insurance agent.