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March 2, 2009
Dear Mr.
Prime Minister,
The National Knowledge Commission is seriously concerned about deep crisis in Indian agriculture which has been in the making for some time. There are several dimensions of this problem. The proportion of the population employed in agriculture is as much as 52 per cent, yet agriculture contributes just 18.5 per cent to the national GDP. Thus per capita GDP and average living standards in agriculture are significantly lower than in the non-agriculture sector. Growth in terms of yield per hectare and employment creation has also slowed down in the sector and per capita availability of food grains has shown no discernible increase for more than three decades. The recent suicides of farmers are symptoms of a much deeper malaise. Thus, in order to transform India into a knowledge economy, it is imperative that we focus on agriculture on a priority basis. In this regard NKC believes that appropriate application of knowledge in agriculture can play a major role in boosting the agrarian economy and giving the Indian farmer a competitive edge in the global market.
We note that various Commissions and Working Groups set up by the Government of India at different times have made a number of important and extremely useful recommendations. Yet it is a matter of concern that most of these recommendations have not been implemented. We urge you to consider these recommendations for speedy implementation. In addition, we would like to make some further recommendations, based on discussions with a variety of stakeholders and the Report of a Working Group representing agricultural scientists, managers of extension services, independent analysts and representatives of farmers’ organisations and of companies linked with commercial farming. We recommend the following concrete steps for the revitalization of knowledge generation and application in agriculture:
A. Knowledge Generation
1. Modernise and stimulate agricultural research institutions, co-ordinate research and make research support more flexible.
- Each State Agricultural University (SAU) and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institute should create a research policy unit comprising core faculty and also including other issue-based stakeholders.
- Based on the research policy and programmes, expected research output and linkages to extension and other stakeholders, each SAU and ICAR institute must put forward a set of valuation indicators, to be used for periodic assessment and public scrutiny.
- Both the ICAR and SAU should assign about 50 per cent of their total research resources (largely Plan funds) to support a competitive grants system, with its deployment focused on priority multi-disciplinary and regional research areas.
- Priority problem oriented research in a competitive funding mode should be promoted, for example by identifying a group of scientists reputed for excellence in an area and encouraging them to form a coalition to work on specific problems in mission mode, with required funding support.
- Regional Coordination Units should be initiated under the umbrella of the SAUs, and should include representatives of ICAR, relevant line departments, Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), rural credit agencies, cooperatives, private sector, farmers’ organizations and key civil society organizations falling within the particular region.
- Decentralisation of research management and authority and distribution of accountability at different levels in the ICAR and SAUs are required. Scientists and research teams should be empowered to function in this decentralised system, with administrative and financial support. This will require the amendment of the Model Act (1966) and University Acts binding all SAUs, and a change in the legal status of the ICAR to grant full administrative and financial autonomy with enhanced funding.
- There should be emphasis on ensuring research relevant to farmers’ needs, by encouraging and institutionalising greater interaction between research and extension personnel and providing feedback mechanisms for farmers.
2. Improve the organisation of agricultural research.
- The Research Project File (RPF) system in ICAR institutes has fossilised and does not assist the conduct or management of relevant research. The lab/project file must be made mandatory in SAUs and ICAR institutes and computerised on a priority basis, preferably by 2009-2010. This will enable the creation of a research database within the organisation and at the national level.
- Based on this lab/project file system, there should be an annual scientific audit of each programme/project.
3. Direct more research to neglected areas.
- Much more research activity is required for enhancing productivity in rain-fed agriculture and the cultivation of traditional staples.
- Research into improvements in post-harvest technology and storage patterns should be promoted with special funds allocation.
- The possibilities and problems associated with ‘jhum’ cultivation must be addressed.
- Agriculture and rural livelihoods in the North Eastern region deserve very special attention, including with the establishment of a sub-cadre of agricultural graduates well trained to meet local R&D needs.
- While water management has been and remains a major area of agricultural research, there is need for more locally specific result-oriented research to develop techniques that can be easily applied by farmers.
- More research is also required to address the mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change.
4. Provide more effective incentives for researchers.
- Agricultural research should be made attractive as a career option for young scientists through appropriate recruitment and personnel policies, incorporating a flexible system of incentives in career advancement and remuneration.
- The ICAR and SAUs should promote and recognize quality and relevant scientific output by promoting research publication, establishment and working of patents, technology development and transfer. These should be accompanied by strong disincentives for unethical and fraudulent professional practices.
- In order to promote team-based research, a system of equitable incentives for the leader and the members of the team should be devised.
- As in the ICAR, the SAUs should introduce sabbatical leave, giving scientists the freedom to choose any laboratory or relevant institution within or outside the country for advanced studies during the sabbatical period with full pay. In addition, lien may be given to those scientists who have developed a technology area (including a patent) with high public interest value, to work on such development in their own capacity, in case the technology is not being developed by other parties.
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