The conference is by invitation only.

The Green Revolution played a major role in alleviating poverty in irrigated areas through the provision of high-yielding varieties that boosted production of staple foodgrains. By contrast, the rainfed areas of South Asia were generally bypassed during the Green Revolution period, as these areas had limited access to critical inputs such as fertilizer and controlled water supplies that were crucial to the success of these improved technologies. The general perception of water scarce rainfed areas is that agricultural production is confined to coarse cereals and income levels are low. However, recent experiences from some rainfed areas demonstrate that there are emerging opportunities for traditional and high-value crops that offer the potential to raise rural incomes. Moreover, consumer demand is also shifting towards horticulture, edible oils, livestock, fisheries, and processed commodities due to rising incomes, globalization, and urbanization, presenting new opportunities for producers. Estimates of demand growth in such commodities range between 3-5 percent per year. Export opportunities are also growing rapidly for some of the commodities. There is thus the potential for rainfed areas to diversify their agriculture towards high-value commodities.

Water is critical for rainfed areas. The issue in rainfed areas is not scarcity per se but rather a lack of proper management that accentuates shortages. It is thus necessary to use water in such a way that each drop maximizes returns. High-value food commodities have greater potential to maximize returns per drop of water than foodgrains, as these commodities augment incomes, generate more employment opportunities, and better conserve natural resources than the traditional coarse cereal system. Indeed, the promotion of high-value commodities may act as a catalyst to bring a "second-generation" Green Revolution in rainfed areas. The real challenges are to develop ways that achieve this goal and overcome the constraints that currently beset these areas. Some of the key problems associated with the development of these commodities include (i) perishable nature of some commodities, especially horticulture and livestock, (ii) large capital requirements for agro-processing, and (iii) high quality standards to meet retail and food safety regulations. Large investments are thus required to create appropriate infrastructure, develop an enabling environment for private sector participation, and build institutional capacity capable of meeting these new quality and food safety standards. Alleviating these constraints will not be easy unless the public and private sectors work together towards these goals.

The promotion of rainfed areas was historically the purview of the public sector. Private sector involvement in rainfed areas was limited due to poor infrastructure and perceived high risk associated with the unreliable availability of raw materials. However, there are some successful examples of private sector participation in promoting high-value commodities in conjunction with public sector support. These past experiences demonstrate that innovative approaches, through partnerships between the public and private sectors, can harness the potential of rainfed areas and develop a growth-oriented environment that will benefit smallholders, food-insecure households, women and children, and other vulnerable groups. Public-private partnerships offer a means of tapping into each group's natural strengths, while channeling resources into areas that can best contribute to poverty reduction, food security, and agricultural sector-led development and growth.

The aim of the Conference is to facilitate in-depth discussions that address critical issues and help design appropriate policies associated with public-private partnerships in a pro-poor environment. By bringing together decision-makers, policy experts, and private sector representatives, the seminar intends to catalyze new opportunities and real solutions for greater pro-poor growth opportunities. The specific objectives of the Conference are to: (i) identify potential areas of investment in rainfed areas through public-private partnerships; (ii) explore the possibility of public-private partnerships in the supply chain management of high-value and processed commodities; (iii) identify areas for public-private partnerships in the sustainable management of natural resources; and (iv) share experiences of successful models of public-private partnerships from South Asian countries.

A large number of delegates are expected to attend the Conference and contribute their rich international experience and knowledge on public-private partnerships in the context of high-value agriculture in rainfed and marginal environments. The delegates will include senior policy advisors, professionals, researchers from national and international organizations, corporate leaders, bankers, donors, and media from developing countries.

The output of the Conference will assist in generating knowledge and ideas that can strengthen and develop public-private partnerships to promote the high value production of specific cereals, oilseeds, horticulture, and livestock, in rainfed areas.