India’s main challenge will be finding jobs: Agriculture economist Ramesh Chand

"The states should come up with innovative and futuristic ideas for the overall development of the sector", the economist said.

KOCHI: With employment growth rate continues to be poor in rural industries, full-time member of NITI Aayog and noted agriculture economist Ramesh Chand said planning in the area of agriculture and allied sectors should be re-designed to generate more job opportunities in rural areas. He was speaking at an interactive session with the scientists of the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI).
Chand said creating employment is one of the biggest challenges the country is facing today and urged the scientists to concentrate on value addition in the sector that offer employment opportunities.

Minimum Support Price (MSP) for fish is not practical due to the fluctuation of fish prices and Chand said implementing MSP for fish is not feasible. According to him, implementation of some types of price support through Price Stabilisation Fund and formation of fish producers organisations will offer solutions in this regard.He noted, ‘’Higher production and technology integration is required to boost domestic sales and export of fish, and other value-added products. CMFRI scientists should focus more on different ways to increase the fish productivity.”

He added that states should focus on innovative ideas and indicated that the NITI Aayog is not allocating money to states on a routine basis as done earlier by the erstwhile Planning Commission.  He further said the country’s premier think-tank would wholeheartedly support innovative ideas aimed at transforming the living standards of people in all the states.

‘’The states should come up with innovative and futuristic ideas for the overall development of the sector. Ideas are more powerful than money. NITI Aayog will be supportive of any innovative ideas, which can bring in a transformation,” Chand said.He also opined that fisheries exports sector should give due importance in developing internationally acclaimed brands through high quality value addition, certification and promotional activities,  so that India could fully exploit this niche markets in developed countries.

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