D I R E C T O R ’ S R E P O R T
Realising the regional need to strengthen the capacity for agricultural economics policy research in the region and to develop the human resources, the Indian Council for Agricultural Research has started to organise the training courses. The major objectives of establishing this Department were to strengthen the capacity for policy research in state agriculture departments and other institutes through short term training courses in frontier areas of the discipline, undertake research on issues of current importance for national policy formulation and upgrade the facilities for post-graduate education in the Department. The Department of Agricultural Economics at Nagaland University began functioning in 1978. Since then, the Department has organized a number of advanced level training programmes for teachers and non-teaching staff of university. The present training programme on “Agri-Business Management and Rural Marketing” is the third such training course organized in the series of training / programmes by the Department. Since the significant changes have occurred in agri-business management as well as in the field of agricultural marketing between nations, which makes it important to understand the various issues related to international trade, especially in respect of agricultural commodities. The present training programme aims to clarify some of the important issues and raise questions for future research.
The word agriculture indicates basically - plowing the field, sowing the seed, trans-planting, intercultural practices, harvesting the crop, feeding the animal, milking the livestock and other types of management etc. Recently, this was a fairly accurate picture, but today agriculture has changed entirely. Now a days agriculture has evolved into business and has become a vast and complex system that reaches beyond the farm to include all those which are involved in bringing food and goods in the hand of final consumers. Agribusiness includes not only those that farm the land but also the people and firms that provide the inputs (seed, feed, fodder, fertilizers, chemicals etc), process the output (yield as food grain, meat, milk etc), manufacture the food products (processed food as bread, ice cream, biscuits, toast etc), transport and sell the food products to the final consumers (such as big bazaar, supermarkets, hotel and restaurants etc). Business involves activities connected with the production of wealth. It is an organized and systematized human activity involving and purchase of goods and service with the object of selling them for profit maximization. Also, business concerns with buying, selling of goods, manufacturing of goods or providing the services in order to earn profit are also the part of agribusiness management.
Whereas, marketing is a multistage process, for the improvement and development of marketing structure, a coordinating approach aiming at removing all the weak links of the marketing chain is essential. A package of improved marketing services in the form of regulated markets, grading, weighing, storing, transporting, handling services and marketing finance need to be made available to ensure the producer a fair return from his production efforts and a better share in the price paid by the consumer.
At the same time, market research programs should be oriented to the developing of an orderly and efficient marketing system. This is a crucial time in the development of agricultural marketing when the country is poised to enter an era of production surpluses. A piecemeal approach at this stage can be disastrous and can nullify the advantages gained by the farmer on the production front. The role of market research in the establishment of an efficient system of marketing cannot be overemphasized. In order to be able to introduce reforms one should know the defects and shortcomings of the prevailing system. This calls for and justifies the necessity of intensive research and investigation. Under the third five-year plan an elaborate scheme for conducting survey and research in the various facets of agricultural marketing was undertaken by the Directorate of marketing and inspection. Particular attention was paid to the collection of market information, with regard to price spreads, shifts in marketing practices, consumption pattern, consumer preferences, directional movements, packaging, assembling, transportation, distribution etc. Authentic statistics and data are being collected so that up-to date information may be maintained in respect of all important agricultural commodities. Besides the market surveys cover studies on the organisational aspect of the marketing system, problem oriented studies etc. Under the fourth five year plan a specialized study to estimate the post harvest losses and marketable surpluses of agricultural produce have been taken up on an all-India level. Agricultural marketing involves in its simplest form the buying and selling of agricultural produce. In olden days when the village economy was more or less self-sufficient the marketing of agricultural produce presented no difficulty as the farmer sold his produce to the consumer on a cash or barter basis. In modern marketing the agricultural produce has to undergo a series of transfers or exchanges from one hand to another before it finally reaches the consumer. This is achieved through three marketing functions (a) assembling, (b) preparation for consumption and (c) distribution. The Research Wing of the Directorate of marketing and inspection has been further strengthened by creating the Market Research and Planning Cell. The cell has a big component of exports in the field of agricultural marketing research and is expected to increase the tempo of development in this field .
The Short Course on ‘Agri Business Management and Rural Marketing’, initiated after getting the circular from Deputy Director General (Education Wing), Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi since last year due to the need of the state as well as region, accordingly proposal was submitted and finally it is being organised by the Department of Agricultural Economics, Nagaland University, School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development, Campus: Medziphema, Nagaland. Then the second phase has began after getting the approval of this course in the month of April through DDG, then later on acceptance and sanction of money. Now I am quite varied to give the broad circulation. Then I developed a leaflet-cum-circular for its circulation and also requested my scientific officer to launch it in the website of our university and through post to all the Sate Agriculture Universities, Central Universities and others related National repute Institutes for its broad circulation, through ICAR Directory. Then I sent fax and e-mail to all the Vice Chancellor of SAU’s, Central Universities and other related National repute institute with the request to depute 1-2 faculty to attend the short course. As a Course Director, I made three members committee for the selection of participants as well as to follow the norms and operational guidelines for organistions of short course keeping in views of objectives given by ICAR, even for any type of query / confusion. I contacted to Deputy Director General (Education), he has given me all the response and guide line too. Due to limitation of funds our committee couldn’t select many candidates form far distance, as per the limitations. However, we selected participants right from Jammu and Kashmir to Chattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura, Maharasthra, Meghalaya, Assam and Nagaland, but due to engagement in other assignments viz; election in the state, interview date and other official duties, they cancelled their programmes in eleventh hours. Any how we selected other candidates to attend the course. In total there were 25 (twenty five) Participants following the norms.
Most of the candidates arrived on 06th September 2009 morning to night time as per their tour programmes, even (4) four of nearby candidates 1 (one) from Manipur, 1 (one) from Tripura and 2 (two) from Maharasthra cancelled their programme 1-3 days before starting the course due to which it’s really very difficult for me to replace the 4 candidates. Finally I decide to take all 4 (four) candidates from my Institute to make it 25 (twenty five) from different discipline, because I had made arrangements for twenty five candidates viz; lodging, fooding, bags, stationary etc;
I am grateful to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, especially the Education Division, for providing the financial support needed for organizing this training. The officials of the Education Division have provided unstinted support and encouragement to this Department for which I am highly thankful to them. Prof. K. Kannan, Vice Chancellor, Nagaland University, Nagaland and Prof. D. P. Sharma, Dean, Nagaland University, SASRD, Medziphema have been a great source of encouragement to this Department. I gratefully acknowledge the support received from them in organizing this training programme as well as for the other activities of the Department. I am grateful to the entire Faculty of the School, both from within and outside the School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Department, who acted as resource persons and delivered lectures in the programme. The Faculty, Staff and Students of the Department helped in various ways in organizing this training programme and the other activities of the Department for which I am thankful to them.
The Short Course programme started on 07th September 2009 at SASRD Auditorium with the Registration of Participants at 09.30 AM then Inaugural Function was started at 10.00 to 10.30 AM in the SASRD Auditorium, as per the order of Programme the Invocation Prayer was given by Mr. Joaking then Welcome Address was given by Dr. Amod Sharma, Course Director & Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics, Nagaland University, SASRD, Campus: Medziphema. Ms. Imsunaro, presented the Shwal to the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour, then a Short Speech was delivered by Prof. R. C. Nayak, Dean (I / C) SASRD, Nagaland University, Campus: Medziphema followed by a Short Speech given by Dr. Cahndan Rajkowa, Director, National Research Centre on Mithun. The Vote of the thanks was given by Dr. D. S. Dhakre, Department of Agricultural Economics. The Inaugural Programme was under the Chairmanship of Dr. Amod Sharma, then Photography and interaction with Participants with Chief Guest and Guest of Honour.
On 07th September 2009 (Monday) the foremost objective of the Short Course was to assess the Impact of Short Course on Participants. So, accordingly a ‘Pre Evaluation Test’ with the help of developed schedule especially designed for the Short course was conducted for the participants (to known the present knowledge of the participants). Then Lecture - I, II & III were taken by Dr. Amod Sharma from SASRD, Medziphema on different topics viz; ‘Agri Business Management’, ‘Agricultural Marketing System in North Eastern States’ and ‘Export Marketing: Basic Aspects’ the last programme of the first day was of Group Discussion on the subject-cum-feed back from the participants.
The second day of the Short Course i. e; on 08th September 2009 (Tuesday) began with the review of First day of the Programme given by Dr. Jitendra Kumar Chauhan (Participant), then Lecture - IV was taken by Ms. Srijana Baruah from Jorhat on ‘Input and Output markets’ and Lecture - V on ‘Strengthening Linkage of Farmers with Market for Agri Business’ was taken by Dr. K. K. Jha from SASRD, Medziphema then further discussion on - Study of Markets for Agricultural Commodities and last programme of the day was the Visit of nearby Rural Market around the Medziphema Area.
The third day of the Short Course i. e; on 09th September 2009 (Wednesday) started with the review of the Second day of the Programme given by Mr. Pronab Kumar Baruah (Participant), Lecture - VI was taken by Prof. V. B. Singh from SASRD, Medziphema on ‘Plantation Crops for Export Earning, Nutritional, Security and Environmental Protection’; Lecture - VII on ‘Scope of Floriculture’ was taken by Dr. Pauline Alila from SASRD, Medziphema; Lecture - VIII on ‘Mushrooms as a Health Food’ was taken by Dr. Loli Daiho from SASRD, Medziphema and last programme of the day was the Visit to the Horticulture Farm, SASRD, Medziphema. Ego’s of the Participants were assessed with the help of a schedule.
The fourth day of the Short Course i. e; on 10th September 2009 (Thrusday) began with the review of third day of the Programme given by Dr. Sudhakar Dewedi (Participant), Lecture - IX was taken by Dr. N. C. Sarkar from SASRD, Medziphema on ‘Enriched Rice for Nutritional Security and its Global implications’; Lecture - X on ‘Economics of Sericulture’ was taken by Mrs. Imti Naro L. from SASRD, Medziphema; Lecture - XI on ‘Bee keeping: A Noble Profession for Income & Sustainable Agriculture’ was taken by Dr. H. K. Singh from SASRD, Medziphema and the last programme of the day was a Visit to the National Research Center on Mithun at Jharnapani and its Research Farm (it is the only National Centre in India on Mithun).
On the fifth day of the Programme i. e; on 11th September 2009 (Friday), an Exposure Trip (to different Enterprises viz; Exotic Juices Limited, Mao, District Senapati, Manipur & Tourist / ModelVillage, Kohima District) was conducted for the Participant to expose them about the different entrepreneurial activities in the field of Agri Business.
The sixth day of the Short Course i. e; on 12th September 2009 (Saturday) started with the review of fourth and fifth days of the Programme given by Mr. Kamal Raguvanshi (Participant), Lecture - XII was taken by Er. A. K. Verma from SASRD, Medziphema on ‘Issues and Opportunities for Post Harvest Technologies in India’; Lecture - XIII on ‘Emerging thoughts in Agri Business and Rural Marketing’ was taken by Dr. K. K. Jha from SASRD, Medziphema; Lecture - XIV on ‘Agri Business Management: Women supremacy Fact or Fiction’ was taken by Prof. R. C. Gupta from SASRD, Medziphema and then SWOT Analysis for the set up for new Entrepreneurs; group wise task was carried out. Then general questions were framed with the help of schedule to judge their co-ordination in and around the organization.
As per the declared schedule the seventh day of the Programme i. e; on 13th September 2009 (Sunday) was declared as Holiday. But to know the interest of the Participants; it was uninamously decides to organise a Picnic (visit to Horticulture / Green Park at Chumukdema, Dimapur) and accordingly we took pack lunch and enjoyed the nature and boating. During the interaction among the participants we came to known about the Dr. S. P. Kannujia & Dr. N. C. Sarkar who were trained as Yog Guru. So, lastly our participants decided to join the Yoga Classes in morning time (with out disturbing of scheduled programme of Short Course).
While, from the eight day of the Short Course i. e; on 14th September 2009 (Monday) the daily programme was re-scheduled with Yog Class at 6 AM. Then the morning programme started with the review of sixth and seventh days of the Programme given by Mr. Hulas Pathak (Participant) and Lecture - XV is taken by Dr. A. K. Makar from SASRD, Medziphema on ‘Rural Entrepreneurship’; Lecture - XVI on ‘Seed Marketing’ taken by Dr. (Mrs.) M. B. Sharma from SASRD, Medziphema; Lecture - XVII on ‘Extension Issues - Leadership’ taken by Dr. R. P. Singh from KVK, Phek District. The last programme of the day was the visit of different enterprises of Agri Business.
The ninth day of the Short Course i. e; on 15th September 2009 (Tuesday) the daily schedule began with Yog Class at 6 AM. Then the morning programme started with the review of eighth day of the Programme given by Mrs. Trishnalee Sakia (Participant), Lecture - XVIII was taken by Dr. C. K. Panda from NABARD, Dimapur on ‘Institutional support for Agri Business’; Lecture - XIX & XX on ‘Application of Computer in Agriculture’ and ‘Tips for Effective Marketing’ both classes were taken by Dr. Amod Sharma from SASRD, Medziphema. After lunch we visited the DIMUL (Dimapur Milk Union Limited), Chumukdema and NBRC (Nagaland Bamboo Resource Centre), 4th Mile, Dimapur a growing venture in the State of Nagaland from Rural Marketing to Urban areas of Agri Business.
The last day of the programme i. e; tenth day of the Short Course i. e; on 16th September 2009 (Wednesday) the day began with Yog Class at 6.15 AM. The morning programme started with the review of the ninth day of the Programme given by Dr. R. K. Kulsresthra (Participant), Lecture - XXI was taken by Dr. Amod Sharma from SASRD, Medziphema on ‘Export Promotion Councils’; Lecture - XXII on ‘Yoga: a way of Life’ was taken by Dr. S. P. Kannujia from SASRD, Medziphema and after the lunch break a Post Evaluation (to assess the impact of training), Group Discussion-cum-feed back. Also the Annexure - VI (given by the ICAR guide line) was provided to all the participants to know about the feed-back for future improvement of the programme.
Lastly during the Valedictory Programme under the Chairmanship of Dr. Amod Sharma, Course Director & Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics, Nagaland University, SASRD, Campus: Medziphema detailed information was given on overall performance and impact of the Short Course during the 10 (ten) days. Ms. Imsunaro presented the Shwal to the Guest of Honour be Prof. D. P. Sharma, Dean, Nagaland University, SASRD, Campus: Medziphema followed by his short speech. Vote of Thanks was given by Dr. D. S. Dhakre, Department of Agricultural Economics, Nagaland University, SASRD, Campus: Medziphema.
SASRD, Medziphema (AMOD SHARMA)
17th September, 2009. Course Director