Diversification, Integration and Entrepreneurship - Key to Small holders Survival
By M. C. Gopinathan | 30-04-2021 | Page: 7-8
Abstract
Impact of technological revolutions in the past provided substantial improvement in farm productivity, employment and livelihoods. Countries with larger farms on economies of scale and cost advantage were able to harness the best. Irrespective of predominant smallholders, India was also able to gain from its public investments in infrastructure, technologies, policy and market intervention. Post green revolution productivity either declined or stagnated. Land, water, air and energy resources are now highly stressed. Climate change adaptation and mitigation are becoming essential for survival. The surge of new technologies such as digital, mobile, robots, geo-spatial, big data, block chain, sensors, simulation and artificial intelligence etc. expected to usher a new farm revolution. The players, processes and skillsets will be different. Demand for old activities will disappear and a new paradigm of production will emerge. The farm sizes become smaller, choices will be constrained, affect the capacity to farm, thrive and survive. Farmers need to reinvent themselves. Many argue that small farms will become unviable. Policy interventions and investments are required incapacity building and enabling safety nets. Small holders need to adapt to new realities, acquire or improve their entrepreneurship, diversify and integrate to minimize resource use and maximize output.