Agricultural development plays a vital role in Nation’s economic development

The Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FAPCCI) in association with Alabama University, Alabama, organized Women’s Day Celebrations on 9^th March 2013 at Federation House, Red Hills, Hyderabad. Mr. William Batchelor, Dean, College of Agriculture, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama was the chief guest for this occasion.

Mr. William Batchelor said in his key note address is that the agricultural development makes a critical contribution to overall economic growth in many developing countries. As farmers’ incomes rise, so does their demand both for farm inputs and services, and for non-farm goods. Increased agricultural production also leads to increased demand for processing facilities. Rapid growth Agricultural growth and development require investment and technology. With them huge productivity gains are possible. Over the past 20 years, increases in government spending on agriculture in East and South Asia have been clearly linked to rapid growth in agriculture and to progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

In developing countries, it has all too often bypassed the most needy farmers, offering solutions that are beyond their reach or simply inappropriate to their livelihoods. The challenge is to develop technology in a way that is relevant to small farmers and to create the conditions they need to transform their small plots into viable small businesses that make a vital contribution to local and national economies Mr. William Batchelor said.

Mr. V.S. Raju said that the Andhra Pradesh has bountiful natural resources endowed with fertile land, water and conducive agro-climatic conditions. It is an agriculturally-prosperous State and largest producer of rice in India. The State is also the leading producer of cash crops like Tobacco, Groundnut, Chillies, Turmeric, Oilseeds, Cotton, Sugar and Jute. It produces some of the finest fruit varieties of mango, grapes, guava, sapota, papaya and bananas.

The Government has taken many policy initiatives and missions to strengthen the farm credit delivery system for providing credit at affordable rates of interest to support the resource requirements of the agricultural sector. The emphasis of these initiatives is to provide timely and adequate credit support to farmers with particular focus on small and marginal farmers. The initiatives strive to enable and motivate the farmers to adopt modern technology and improved agricultural practices for increasing agricultural production and productivity.