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31 Mar 2005
Agricultural Advisers/Consultants
Government departments and agricultural universities do provide some help but it is far from the requirement on ground. Majority of farmers still use nineteenth century technique for farming even today. There is a need to give a deep thought to this aspect. We need to think of developing a cadre of agro-consultants who can give proper advise on time to farmers, and who can take the research work of universities to ground and thus make farmers self sufficient and strong.

Assuming there are 10000000 (one crore) farmers in India and each is capable of spending Rs. Five hundred per annum on consultancy, this business can easily find job for around fifty thousand agricultural experts year round. Spending capability of farmers would improve geometrically based on the quality of service. Within a few years each of the consultants may earn over Rs. two lakhs per annum.

Such a consultant would prove a link between the Government/Agricultural University and the farmers. Consultants should advise farmers about crop pattern, soil testing, water management, seeds, fertilisers, bio-fertilisers, insecticides, Government schemes and all other aspects of agriculture to make agriculture as profit making sector for Indian farmers.

Agricultural consultants must have rigorous training in universities and on ground. A body of agricultural consultants on same line as various Institutes of other professionals like Institute of Engineers, Institute of Valuers, Institute of Chartered Accountants should be formed. This Institute should conduct training courses and examinations for desirable candidates (preferably with agricultural background and qualification or at least degree in science). Initially Government may offer loans on easy terms and installment to such a body to establish themselves at least at hundred locations in the country.

Initially, Institute head office may be in the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and zonal offices at each of the Agricultural Universities. Later the Institute should have its offices at independent location. A time period of three to five years may be adequate for the institute to establish itself independent of Government assistance.

Agricultural consultant must equip him/herself with latest knowledge in many spheres of agriculture. A free access to agricultural experts in government departments and universities is not only desirable but is necessary. Initially consultant may be given internet facility free of cost and charge for a period of say one year. Later consultant would be in a position to pay for the expenses.

Role of the consultant should be limited to guidance based on the latest available knowledge. He/She shall not be responsible for any loss on account of nature's whimsical behaviour or other calamities beyond his/her control. Agricultural experts in the university should be considered as final authority to give a final decision in any of the contradictions.

This proposal has many advantages. Foremost advantage is carrying latest technology and government schemes to farmers. Other advantages are improvement in productivity, ecological crop pattern, adequate returns to farmers and self employment to many. This will further help Government in reducing their dependency on departmental employees and improving executing their projects efficiently.

Concept behind this thought is to help government in effectively executing their plans without any extra expenditure. This principle may be applied to many other spheres of government activities like adult education, primary education, primary health, career development for individuals, employment opportunities, small scale industries and many more.

Government do need effective machinery for execution of their plans and the solution lies in creating central unaided institutions with modest control