Indian Agriculture Needs Reforms & Investment To Create Jobs For Inclusive Growth : Ramesh Chand

“Indian agriculture needs reforms and investment to boost jobs creation as well as for sustainable and inclusive growth ” ,said by Prof. Ramesh Chand Hon’ble member of NITI Aayog who holds MOS status in Union Government and a noted agro-economist. He was speaking on a special session on the theme, ” India: The Road to Inclusive Growth” organised by Calcutta Chamber of Commerce in Kolkata recently.

Prof. Ramesh Chand said a workable definition of Inclusive Growth has to meet two conditions : 1) everyone benefits from growth ,2 ) everyone participates in growth process. Ramesh Chand said “‘Inclusiveness’ is not same as ‘Inequality’ . Peace and Harmony in any society depends upon level of well being of all sections of the society. Exclusion can cause regime change and political upheaval. Chand mentioned Growth and Inclusive Development put together for the first time in the 11th plan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sab ke Sath ,Sab ke Vikas ” along with aim to create US $ 5 trillon economy promote Inclusive Growth , stressed Ramesh Chand. Major challenge in Industry 4.0 is that growth can take place without increasing employment. He mentioned all those factors which enable good earning for people lead to Inclusive Development (ID).

Ramesh Chand said ” Agriculture led growth followed by Industrialisation results in high per capita income and low poverty on sustained basis … Agriculture led growth is inclusive but not sustainable if it is not followed by industrialisation. Inclusive Growth requires increase in per capita income thru economic growth which in turn necessitates job creation to match labour force.

Inclusive Growth depends upon employment. Employment creation now and in future requires relook as Industry 4.0 turning to labour saving technologies.” Ramesh Chand said there is need to explore possibilities of decent jobs creation in post harvest agriculture and in around agriculture. Earlier, welcoming the guests, President of Calcutta Chamber of Commerce Shrimati Shailja Mehta mentioned agriculture should be next growth engine for India to promote Inclusive Growth. Senior Vice President of Calcutta Chamber of Commerce Mr. Kejriwal while giving vote of thanks called for more private- public partnership to promote Inclusive Growth. Pic courtesy: Jagran Josh