Sustainability of small farmer seminar at PJTSAU December 22

Rajendranagar: The Retired ICAR Employees’ Association (RICAREA) in collaboration with Prof Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU) is conducting a seminar on ‘Sustainability of Small Farmer in the Changing Agricultural Scenario’ on Saturday at PJTSAU Seminar Hall at Rajendranagar.

According to organisers, the main objective of the seminar is to find concrete means and ways of empowering the small farmer. Around top ten experts who have studied the problems of small farmers including some successful ones are going to participate in the seminar. The papers to be presented at the seminar and the recommendations that would emerge are expected to throw more new light and come up with concrete guidelines in ameliorating the situation of the small farmers.

As per the studies conducted by agriculture scientists, half of India's total population consists of small farmers and their families, and 85% of all farms are less than two hectares. Plainly the situation of small farms is of enormous importance to the overall social wellbeing of India. It is well established that the small farmer was the pivot of India’s Green Revolution. In the decades of 70s to 90s, small farmers were earning reasonably well to support their families. However in the current scenario, the public investment in agriculture and rural development has declined from almost 20% during Green Revolution period to currently less than 10%.