V S Sankaran, Madurai

It is felt that the Agricultural Sector has been neglected for the last half a century, even though more than 60 per cent of the population is dependant on it. The Government spending on Agriculture does not reach the rural poor and it is dissipated in corruption. The most talked about Guaranteed Rural Employment Scheme did not intend for wealth creation but it may be employed for vote catching’ Also creates labour shortage for seasonal agricultural operations.. The Government should allow organized retail sectors from established Corporate bodies either from Foreign Investment or raising their own capital through Banks and Financial Companies. The Retail Sector should adopt in one District or other and work with the local Agricultural Departments. They should organize contiguity group of farmers for raising food crops , vegetables , millets and pulses .in their lands according to their soil and rain falls. The Retail sectors must depute educated youth for doing extension services along with the Department of Agriculture. The workers should be given incentives to work in rural areas. All investments and minor infrastructures must be borne by the companies. The Companies must purchase the produces with a minimum guaranteed return per acre. The Govt. should give enormous tax concessions and also should be encouraged to bring in their black moneys so invested in exclusively for Agriculture and allied activities. They must also bring in modern techniques for food processing. In short the agriculture should be linked to private Corporate bodies and should monitors the results and the success stories should be published in media. For attracting youths in Agriculture and educate the farmers employing their own traditional way of agriculture. The Agriculture problem will not be solved by macro planing and the corporate bodies who are willing to work with the farmers in the lands would usher in a new era in agriculture. The Govt. Should give a try to this proposal.