CII Communique - February, 2010

agriculture & food processing industries
sectoral synergies
Role of the Private
Sector in Agri Business
The Maharashtra Government will invest Rs 2000
crores in the Agriculture Sector, announced Dr
S K Goel, Principal Secretary (Cooperation &
Marketing), Maharashtra, at a round table on ‘Doing Agri
Business: Opportunities & Challenges,’ jointly organised
by CII and the Maharashtra State Agriculture Marketing
Board (MSAMB), in Mumbai on 9 January.
Highlighting opportunities for the private sector in
agriculture, Dr Goel said that a legal framework for
contract farming has already been set. He urged
Indian industry to initiate value chains in agriculture
marketing. The MSAMB has called for qualification
tenders to create a modern terminal market complex
in Private Public Partnership model in Maharashtra,
he said, inviting active participation from the private
sector in this.
Mr Anurag Bhatnagar, Director General, National Institute
of Agricultural Marketing (NIAM), stressed the urgency
to establish terminal markets in the country. Once
started, the capacity of these terminal markets will have
to enhanced substantially, considering the agricultural
production in the country, he said.
Mr Prasanna K Swain, Director (Marketing) in the
Union Ministry of Agriculture, further explained the
concept of Terminal Markets and the need for backward
linkages.
Mr B Thiagarajan, Chairman, CII Task Force on Cold
Chain Development, and President, Blue Star Ltd,
spoke about CII’s role in the development of cold
chain facilities
Session in Tamil Nadu
Mr. P K Swain, addressing a round table on the same
subject in Chennai on 25 January, said that terminal
markets are very important for food security and also
for equitable and inclusive growth. He pointed out that
the cost of agricultural production in India is lower
than the world average. More thrust on productivity
and post harvest techniques would help the country
achieve a leadership position in global agricultural
production, he said, calling on the State Government
to encourage more private players to venture into agri
business, especially in setting up cold chains and
market yards.
Mr. Atul Anand, Commissioner, Agricultural Marketing &
Agri-Business, Tamil Nadu, said the State Government
has so far set up 150 farm markets (Uzhavar Sandhai)
across the state, benefiting both the farmers and the
consumers. He added that the Model APMC Act has
been playing a facilitator role in bridging the farmer and
the consumer for mutual benefit.
Mr. B Thiagarajan said the three key areas for CII are
seed and seed related issues, infrastructure for fruits
and vegetables including transport and storage, and
educating farmers on various government schemes,
including funding options.
Mr K P T Ganesan, President, Tamil Nadu State
Agricultural Marketing Board, called for a market
oriented production system in Tamil Nadu. He urged
the Government of India to promote small projects
costing Rs 1-2 crores, such as setting up market yards,
cold storage units, etc in the State, as opposed to big
projects, pointing out that the success rate is higher
in small projects, which also attract private players as
the risk factor is low.
Anurag Bhatnagar, Director General, NIAM, B Thiagarajan, Chairman,
CII Task Force on Cold Chain Development & President, Blue Star
Ltd, Dr S K Goel, Principal Secretary (Coop & Mktg), Maharashtra,
and P K Swain, Director, Union Ministry of Agriculture
K P T Ganesan, President, Tamil Nadu State Agricultural Marketing
Board, Atul Anand, Commissioner, Agricultural Marketing &
Agri-Business, Tamil Nadu, P K Swain, B Thiagarajan, and
Dr. K C Gummagolmathe, Assistant Director, NIAM
Communiqué February 2010 | 27