'Promote agro-industries in rural areas'

Commodity Online 12 April 2008
NEW DELHI: The Global Agro Industries Forum 2008, that concluded in New Delhi on Friday called for the creation of adequate infrastructure by various governments to facilitate the promotion of sustainable agro-industries benefiting the vulnerable sections of rural society.

India's Subodh Kant Sahai, Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries delivered the Valedictory address.

The Forum was inaugurated by the Union Minister of Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution on April 9, 2008 where DG, FAO; DG, UNIDO and President, IFAD were also present.

The main objective of the GAIF was to highlight the role of agro-industries in production catchments in relation to the enhancement of farm income and rural employment. There are other related advantages of promoting agro-industries in production catchments such as reducing the migration from rural to urban areas, cleaner environment and greater prosperity.

A highlight of the Forum was the special address by Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India. Prime Minister, in his address, focused on the need to develop agriculture and related industries for increasing employment and income in rural areas.

The four-day deliberations at the Forum took note of developing agro-industries in different countries, the needs of global trade, available technologies, and the need for regionally differentiated models for promoting agro-industries. Five regional workshops on the final day of the Forum have resulted into the development of regional strategies to prepare action plans.

While it is important to produce efficiently, it is equally important that the agricultural produce is managed, processed to add value and marketed efficiently. This will not only conserve the agricultural produce, additional income and job opportunities would also be generated.

The main outcome of the Global Agro-Industries Forum has been the consensus on development and implementation of programmes for promoting agro-industries in production catchments as a potent tool for rural development leading to alleviation of poverty and hunger.

The Forum was unanimous in recommending the creation of adequate infrastructure by various governments to facilitate the promotion of sustainable agro-industries benefiting the vulnerable sections of rural society. The three UN bodies involved in the organization of the Global Forum will make efforts to implement the recommendations in different member countries.