The importance of advancing agricultural practices via research and new technologies and Secondary Agriculture to benefit farmers were recently discussed in the centenary celebrations of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-National Institute of Secondary Agriculture (NISA).
About the Secondary agriculture:
- Secondary agriculture involves the value addition of primary agricultural products and other related activities such as beekeeping, poultry farming, and agricultural tourism.
- Processes: It involves converting agricultural produce, residues, and by-products into high-value commodities for various uses, including pharmaceutical, industrial, medicinal, and food sectors.
Examples:
- Extraction of vitamins from grains.
- Oil production from rice bran.
- Jaggery production from sugarcane.
- Cottage-scale units for making jams and pickles.
Benefits:
- Environmental Sustainability: Proper utilization of crop residues and agricultural waste helps in reducing waste through recycling, rather than burning or dumping.
- Enhanced Farmer Income: Activities such as beekeeping and lac cultivation can provide better economic returns for farmers.
- Value Addition: Enhances the shelf life of products, increasing total productivity and profitability.
- Support for Cottage Industries: Promotes rural and cottage industries, encouraging the use of technology and local resources.
Growth Potential:
- Consumer Demand: Increasing demand for ready-to-eat and functional foods presents opportunities for value addition in agriculture.
- Government Initiatives: Plans to fix Minimum Support Prices (MSP) ensuring farmers receive a fair return, along with an emphasis on processing and diversification.
- Development of Agricultural Centres: Initiatives to develop Ranchi as a leading centre for agricultural education and research to support farmers.
- Abundant Byproducts: Large quantities of agricultural by-products present opportunities for value addition.
- Utilization of Resources: The need for using unconventional renewable agro-bio resources is increasing, promoting sustainability.
Challenges of Secondary Agriculture
- Nascent Industries: Industries that produce high-value products from agricultural residues, such as Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, are still in the early stages of development.
- Small Land Holdings: Many farmers operate on small land holdings, making it difficult to collect and utilize crop residues effectively.
- Lack of Research: There is a notable deficiency in research focused on appropriate technologies for processing agricultural by-products.
- Awareness Gaps: Farmers often lack awareness about the potential for processing agricultural waste, limiting their ability to innovate and enhance income.
Current Challenges Faced by Farmers
- Despite significant production of lac in Jharkhand, issues persist regarding the farmers’ standard of living.
- There is a noticeable decline in the contribution of Jharkhand to lac production over the years.
Role of Middlemen:
- The increasing influence of middlemen negatively impacts farmers, limiting their profits.
- Farmers are encouraged to explore direct selling and alternative farming methods to reduce dependency on intermediaries.
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Frequently Asked Question:
What is secondary agriculture?
Secondary agriculture involves adding value to primary agricultural products and activities like beekeeping and poultry farming.
How does secondary agriculture benefit farmers?
It enhances farmer income through value addition, environmental sustainability, and promoting cottage industries.
What are some examples of secondary agriculture?
Examples include oil production from rice bran, jaggery from sugarcane, and extraction of vitamins from grains.
What are the challenges facing secondary agriculture?
Challenges include small land holdings, lack of research, and limited farmer awareness about agricultural by-product processing.
How can secondary agriculture promote environmental sustainability?
By recycling agricultural waste and residues instead of burning or dumping them, it supports sustainability.