Shifting from Agriculture to Agribusiness: The Case of Aromatic Plants

This study has examined the agribusiness opportunities in medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), based on the field level information from the state of Uttarakhand. The financial feasibility of important aromatic plants has been studied. It has been found that the returns are substantially higher from these crops than the most profitable commercial crops like sugarcane. The study has identified the constraints that affect the spread of cultivation of MAPs; these include inadequate processing capacities, price risks and non-availability of planting material. It has been suggested that concerted efforts should be made to address these constraints and increase access to the world market.Agribusiness, Crop Production/Industries,

Role of Agricultural R&D Policy in Managing Agrarian Crisis in India

The study has revealed that agricultural research and development (R&D) has potential to offer long-term solutions to the problems of Indian agriculture. With the changing environment and supply-side constraints, the role of R&D has become more important. This realization alongwith past performance of agricultural R&D has convinced the government to commit a significant proportion of its resources for developing appropriate technologies. The ICAR-SAUs system has come out with a number of improved agricultural technologies for major agro-climatic conditions. The paper has provided a list of some of these technologies, which are capable of making farm operations easy, provide savings in resources, reduce production losses, improve product quality and increase shelf-life of products, etc. These technologies eventually provide higher availability of quality foods and higher farm income, including maintaining productive capacity of agro-ecosystems. Since some of the new technologies are information-intensive, the role of ICT has become more important alongwith empowerment of farmers with scientific know-how.Agricultural and Food Policy,

Role of Agricultural R&D Policy in Managing Agrarian Crisis in India

The study has revealed that agricultural research and development (R&D) has potential to offer long-term solutions to the problems of Indian agriculture. With the changing environment and supply-side constraints, the role of R&D has become more important. This realization alongwith past performance of agricultural R&D has convinced the government to commit a significant proportion of its resources for developing appropriate technologies. The ICAR-SAUs system has come out with a number of improved agricultural technologies for major agro-climatic conditions. The paper has provided a list of some of these technologies, which are capable of making farm operations easy, provide savings in resources, reduce production losses, improve product quality and increase shelf-life of products, etc. These technologies eventually provide higher availability of quality foods and higher farm income, including maintaining productive capacity of agro-ecosystems. Since some of the new technologies are information-intensive, the role of ICT has become more important alongwith empowerment of farmers with scientific know-how

Shifting from Agriculture to Agribusiness: The Case of Aromatic Plants

This study has examined the agribusiness opportunities in medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), based on the field level information from the state of Uttarakhand. The financial feasibility of important aromatic plants has been studied. It has been found that the returns are substantially higher from these crops than the most profitable commercial crops like sugarcane. The study has identified the constraints that affect the spread of cultivation of MAPs; these include inadequate processing capacities, price risks and non-availability of planting material. It has been suggested that concerted efforts should be made to address these constraints and increase access to the world market