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the time and cost of transporting the equipment. CHC partnerships include equipment manufacturers, such as John Deere, who provide the equipment, product service, and training in agronomy practices and equipment usage. State governments
contribute financial support and invest in infrastructure for the centers and in road
improvements to ensure that equipment can be transported efficiently. Local entrepreneurs are hired to operate the centers, deploy and maintain the equipment, as
well as manage the contracts with the farmers.
Nearly 90% of farmers with less than two hectares participate in a government
food ration program. India has 120 million individual landholdings under two hectares. To meet its targets for reducing food insecurity and poverty, the government
needs to invest in non-agricultural employment and skills training for rural workers
to move more people out of agriculture, particularly manual labor, while fostering
off-farm agricultural employment in jobs such as agro-dealerships, equipment and
machinery maintenance, processing, and storage.
Farmland consolidation can help achieve greater economies of scale as well. The
necessity for consolidation is amplified by the growing competition for land. India’s
rapidly expanding manufacturing and service industries need room to grow and are
already competing for land and displacing farmers across the country.
2.9 Policies to Create an Enabling Policy Environment
for Productivity in Agriculture
Meeting the rising demand for nutritious, affordable food as well as materials for
fuel, clothing, housing, and consumer products will require innovative, productive,
and sustainable food and agriculture systems. Together, governments, producers,
and the entire agri-food system must commit to improve and transform the system
to achieve a healthy population and a healthy planet. Improving agricultural sustainability requires multi-faceted solutions built on science-based public policies.
Productivity in agriculture grows when governments invest in public research,
development, and extension services; when all participants in the agri-food system
embrace, customize, and disseminate science-based and information technologies;
when the private sector can be incentivized to form partnerships for infrastructure
development and improved nutrition; and when capacity for regional and global
trade in agriculture is streamlined.
2.9.1 Smart Regulatory Systems Build Trust
and Competitiveness for Productivity
Governments establish agricultural policies and regulations to ensure human health
and safety, protect the environment and animal welfare, and foster economic growth
while meeting consumer needs for food, fiber, fuel, and other coproducts. Smart
regulatory systems that keep pace with rapidly changing innovations in science and
technology can foster the adoption of such innovations (Box 2.12).
2 Productivity in Agriculture for a Sustainable Future
the time and cost of transporting the equipment. CHC partnerships include equipment manufacturers, such as John Deere, who provide the equipment, product service, and training in agronomy practices and equipment usage. State governments
contribute financial support and invest in infrastructure for the centers and in road
improvements to ensure that equipment can be transported efficiently. Local entrepreneurs are hired to operate the centers, deploy and maintain the equipment, as
well as manage the contracts with the farmers.
Nearly 90% of farmers with less than two hectares participate in a government
food ration program. India has 120 million individual landholdings under two hectares. To meet its targets for reducing food insecurity and poverty, the government
needs to invest in non-agricultural employment and skills training for rural workers
to move more people out of agriculture, particularly manual labor, while fostering
off-farm agricultural employment in jobs such as agro-dealerships, equipment and
machinery maintenance, processing, and storage.
Farmland consolidation can help achieve greater economies of scale as well. The
necessity for consolidation is amplified by the growing competition for land. India’s
rapidly expanding manufacturing and service industries need room to grow and are
already competing for land and displacing farmers across the country.
2.9 Policies to Create an Enabling Policy Environment
for Productivity in Agriculture
Meeting the rising demand for nutritious, affordable food as well as materials for
fuel, clothing, housing, and consumer products will require innovative, productive,
and sustainable food and agriculture systems. Together, governments, producers,
and the entire agri-food system must commit to improve and transform the system
to achieve a healthy population and a healthy planet. Improving agricultural sustainability requires multi-faceted solutions built on science-based public policies.
Productivity in agriculture grows when governments invest in public research,
development, and extension services; when all participants in the agri-food system
embrace, customize, and disseminate science-based and information technologies;
when the private sector can be incentivized to form partnerships for infrastructure
development and improved nutrition; and when capacity for regional and global
trade in agriculture is streamlined.
2.9.1 Smart Regulatory Systems Build Trust
and Competitiveness for Productivity
Governments establish agricultural policies and regulations to ensure human health
and safety, protect the environment and animal welfare, and foster economic growth
while meeting consumer needs for food, fiber, fuel, and other coproducts. Smart
regulatory systems that keep pace with rapidly changing innovations in science and
technology can foster the adoption of such innovations (Box 2.12).
2 Productivity in Agriculture for a Sustainable Future