Shri V.S. Sunil Kumar, Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture,

Shri A.C. Moideen, Hon’ble Minister for Local Self Government Department,

Prof. C. Ravindranath, Hon’ble Minister for Education,

Shri C.N. Jayadevan, Member of Parliament,

Dr. R. Chandra Babu, Vice-Chancellor, Kerala Agricultural University,

Dr. P. Chowdappa, Director, Central Plantation Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod,

Smt. Mary Thomas, President, District Panchayat, Thrissur,

Shri Devendra Kumar Singh IAS, Principal Secretary, Agricultural Production Commissioner,

Dr. P.K. Jayasree IAS, Director of Agriculture.

Dear Delegates from India and abroad,

Priyappetta Karshaka Suhruththukkale,

Madhyama suhruthukkale

Sahodaree Sahodaranmaare,

Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram,

       I am very happy to inaugurate ‘VAIGA’ -the four day International Workshop on Agro processing and value addition in agriculture and the Krishi Unnathi Mela - 2018. at Thrissur. “VAIGA” is being organized for the third time by the Department of Agriculture, Government of Kerala. 

I clearly recall that in the last two years, we could conduct the workshop on Value Addition for Income Generation in Agriculture [VAIGA] with the aim of heralding   a series of upcoming initiatives in agro-business in the State. It is gratifying to note that our efforts to promote agriculture as a profitable enterprise continues this year also. This year, we are fortunate to have the venue of the Krishi Unnati Mela in our State.

As all of us would recall, it was in 2016 that our Honourable Prime Minister had launched the Krishi Unnati Mela as a three day event, with the aim of showcasing the latest technology in agriculture and allied services. I recall that he had expected such a Mela to play a key role in paving the way for progress, through the meeting of two sentinels of New India, namely, our farmers and our scientists. At the first Krishi Unnati Mela, Hon’ble Prime Minister had said that the Mela intended to double the farmer's income by the year 2022. But, he had also noted that if agriculture must be transformed, we need a more coordinated work of our farmers and scientists.  Let me, therefore, convey my deep sense of appreciation for the noble initiative of the Government in bringing together the most significant stakeholders in agriculture.

We all know that the agricultural sector employs more than 50 per cent of the total workforce in India. For our people, especially those in villages, Agriculture is not just an occupation, but a tool for survival. Therefore, we need to ensure the overall growth of the national economy through steady and sustainable growth of the agricultural sector. In Kerala, despite the economy growing at the rate of 7.4 percent, the contribution of Agriculture to the State's Gross Domestic Product is only 11.3 per cent. This calls for   enhancing our investment in agriculture, strengthening our agricultural research and increasing facilities for agro-based entrepreneurship.

This programme is being held at a time when our State is slowly recovering from the massive destruction caused by an unprecedented flood a few months ago. The agricultural sector in the State was one of the worst affected. We had seen the progress made in organic farming being washed away and our paddy fields presenting a tragic sight to the world.  It is good to know that the initiatives to rebuild Kerala are going on, but I feel that the Agricultural sector deserves top priority in our rebuilding initiatives.

However, the recent floods have convinced us that the agriculture of the future must rely on environmentally sound practices to escape from the effects of climate change. Agriculture must also use technologies that depend on ecologically sound and responsible principles. We have to utilize sustainable means of farming which cause the least   harm to environment. We also need to turn our attention to the crops that are more productive, nutritious and sustainable.

It is here that our society looks forward to the creative interventions of our scientists and researchers. I am happy that VAIGA-2018 is being attended by around 500 prominent scientists and 500 entrepreneurs. It is well known that some of the agricultural practices in other Asian countries are worthy of emulation by our farmers. For instance, Philippines had gone ahead of us in selling more bananas, to become one of the world's top five in that area. Thailand is making a global success in Rice cultivation and Malaysia has been dominating the export of Rubber, Cocoa and Palm oil. And, the Gulf countries, which are known to be dominated by deserts, are doing good work in agriculture, with Saudi Arabia exporting wheat.  These are just some examples of countries smaller than us reaping greater success in farming.

Therefore, I hope that the interactions with the scientists and entrepreneurs from these countries, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Gulf countries, Europe etc., would give our farmers more innovative ideas about boosting their agricultural output. In my personal opinion, these efforts to promote agriculture are to be seen as an ideal example of nation building, because agriculture forms the basis of a nation's progress.

There has to be a renewed interest in agriculture in our State. We have to revitalize the Haritha-keralam Mission, to encourage more households to start organic farming of vegetables. We should also aim at encouraging more agro-based businesses in our State. VAIGA should be a platform for the creation of a committed army of agri-preneurs, who would use new technologies for value addition in agriculture.

I hope that VAIGA would also address the issue of farmers suffering losses on account of fruits and vegetables being damaged due to lack of storage facilities. Ensuring proper infrastructure for post-harvest management and value addition technologies is the need of the hour.   Considering the increase in agricultural output, the Government should take the initiative to increase storage capacity at local levels. We also need to help ordinary farmers with modern knowledge about value addition and access to the technologies used for value addition. I recall that last year's workshop had laid special emphasis on the showcasing of such technologies crops like Banana, Coconut, Millet and Honey.

Workshops like this can effectively connect our farmers with the research institutions that work on technologies for value addition.  We should also be aware of the changing social and educational profile of our farmers. Some have worked in farms in other countries and would have ideas that could be tried here. There is no harm in agricultural officers and staff spending some time to learn from the wisdom of our farmers.

I would also suggest district or even village level interactions on value addition so that the message reaches all the small and marginal farmers. Like in the previous years,
I would  emphasize the need for more mechanization and  Skill up-gradation in the farm sector. Value addition and agri- businesses can reach people only through regular exposure and training. More importantly, agricultural enterprises should get the kind of privileges that the Information Technology industry is now getting. When we talk of Ease of doing business, let us start from ensuring Ease of doing Agriculture and Agricultural business.

I compliment the Department of Agriculture, Government of Kerala for organizing this workshop for the benefit of the farming and agro-business community.  I once again greet all the delegates, entrepreneurs and farmers who have come forward to attend this workshop.

Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal

Nanni

Jai Hind

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