IIML’s International Conference throws up Interesting Learnings for Agribusiness & Food Industry Sector

IIML’s International Conference throws up Interesting Learnings for Agribusiness & Food Industry Sector

IIM Lucknow concluded its three day meet on "Agribusiness & Food Industry in Developing Countries: Opportunities & Challenges" on Sunday, August 12th, 2007. The conference was attended by over 300 delegates from across the world. Numerous acadmecians, policy makers, researchers and corporate across the world participated in the conference.

The conference saw immense participation from academia with presence from almost all leading agri-business institutes across the world like Tennessee State University, Perdue, South Carolina State University, Texas A&M, Arizona, and many more. The participation from important institutions like GTZ, International Food & Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Agriwatch, Farmer's Commission, Agriculture Price & Cost Commission, NIAM, NAARM, BASIX, TERI, NABARD, etc., was also in full steam. In addition, corporates like Godrej Agrovet, Pulse, Walmart, Yes Bank, Jubilent Organisys, MCX, Optima, Corn Products, etc., also participated in big numbers.

The salient learnings from the conference were: -

1. Institutional reforms in the agribusiness and food industry must have adequate and appropriate measures for protecting the interests of small and marginal farmers. This can be done by making farmers as partners in Agribusiness and Food Companies. Farmers as groups should have equity stake in these enterprises. Remember, if consumer is the king, the farmer is the emperor; hence, internalise his/her concerns.
2. For Agribusiness and Food industry to progress in India, efficient Supply Chain Management is must. But this needs huge public investment which in the given scenario is very difficult. Therefore, greater emphasis needs to be given on Public Private Partnership models in this sector too.
3. Harmonise national bio-safety standards with international standards and ensure that Private Standards do not become non-tariff trade barriers.
4. Introduce and integrate bio-security package comprising regulatory measures, education and social mobilization. Establish a National Biosecurity Council (NBC). Organize coordinated National Agricultural Biosecurity Programme on a hub and spokes model for major agro-ecological and farming zones, market opportunities and potential.
5. Research and Education in Agribusiness and Food Management needs greater thrust. All Institutes like IIMs should start ABM programmes.
6. Do not copy the model of corporatization of Agriculture from the developed countries. Developing countries have different socio-economic and demographic conditions and those models need medications "Think Globally Act Locally (Glocalization)".
7. Enhance national and local level capacity in initiating proactive measures in the areas of monitoring, early warning, research, and international cooperation.

"I am heartened by the response to the conference. IIML is the first institute in the country which has provided a platform to people from diversified fields to gather at one place and deliberate on the issues related to agribusiness. I am hopeful that we will see several policy changes emerging out of our discussions," says Prof. Sushil Kumar, Conference Co-ordinator and Chairman, Agri Business Management Centre, IIM Lucknow.

Concluded.

Contributed by -
Shikha Sood,
Finesse PR.

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