Hyderabad -- International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Washington D. C, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU), Hyderabad, and the Government of Andhra Pradesh, have organised a two-day workshop on Agricultural Policies for the 21st Century: From Vision to Action, starting from 15th April 2003. The workshop is conducted to primarily assess the current state of agricultural reform in Andhra Pradesh, and thereby understand the key requirements for the nation in terms of agricultural reform. The participants for the workshop include policymakers, academics, farmers, and representatives from non-governmental organizations & the private sector.
The workshop is designed to examine the impact of government policies and programs in several areas related to agriculture, including food markets, fertilizers, irrigation and power sector. The various speakers identified the key areas of improvement in the agricultural reform segment and suggested reforms and strategies to better the current scenario. The focus of the workshop would be on how to put to practice the suggested strategies for India, in general and Andhra Pradesh in specific.
Speaking to gathering, Suresh Babu, senior research fellow at IFPRI, stated, ""India has pursued ten years of economic reforms to increase growth. These efforts achieved positive results, however several challenges remain in reforming food and agriculture. The government still intervenes heavily in key areas, such as, controlling the price of food and fertilizer. Many people charge that these practices lead to higher food prices for consumers and wasted tax dollars. Subsidies and price controls can reduce the incentive to innovate and increase efficiency. But changing these practices is a politically sensitive issue and requires thorough analysis of policy options."
"To make informed decisions, policymakers need to use research information on the impact of current practices and on the potential effect of reforms," noted I.V. Subba Rao, Vice-Chancellor, ANGRAU. "Out of this workshop, we hope to agree on an agenda for action that will lead to better strategies for increasing agricultural growth and for reducing hunger and malnutrition."
The workshop presentations will also examine policies and programs relating to:
- Seeds, pesticides and other inputs
- Livestock and poultry
- Facilitating trade and markets
- Drought and famine
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The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) seeks sustainable solutions for ending hunger and poverty. IFPRI is one of 15 Future Harvest Centers and receives its principal funding from 58 governments, private foundations, and international and regional organizations known as the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research.