Agriculture Not Be A State Subject

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CII today organized a Seminar on Reforms in the APMC (Agricultural Produce Market Committee) Act , and its impact in the Southern States. This is an initiative of the Agri Business Sub-Committee, CII-Southern Region. Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Shankarlal Guru, Chairman-International Society for Agricultural Marketing said Agricultural sector is in urgent need of reforms by the respective State governments to help drive the economy to a higher growth rate that is expected by the policy makers, but a comprehensive agenda for reforms in this crucial sector is yet to emerge. Hence, the need for Agriculture to be made a central subject and not a state subject, thus alienating it from politics, said Mr. Guru. Contract farming should be encouraged as it will help bring technology and modern practices into the agriculture sector – opined Mr. Guru.

The APMC Act in each state of India requires all agricultural products to be sold only in government – regulated markets. These markets impose substantial taxes on buyers, in addition to commissions and fees taken by middlemen, but typically provide little service in areas such as price discovery, grading or inspection. A key impact of this regulation is the inability of private sector processors and retailers to integrate their enterprises directly with farmers or other sellers, eliminating middlemen in the process. Farmers also are unable to legally enter into contracts with buyers. This leaves no incentives for farmers to upgrade, and inhibits private and foreign investments in the food process sector.

Also addressing the audience was Mr. Sivakumar, Chairman Agri Business Sub-Committee, CII-Southern Region and Chief Executive – Agri, ITC Ltd. Said that Agri business in India is at a transition point. Having sailed through the shortage economy to an economy with surplus in grains, it is important that Governments at the Centre and State recognize the need for inclusive growth to take agriculture forward in India. Setting the context for the day’s discussion, Mr. Sivakumar emphasized that in spite of employing about 57% of the population of the country, agriculture on contributes 27% to the GDP of India. This distortion makes agriculture not a lucrative employment generator and hence, keeping with the global view, India needs to carve out opportunities in agri-exports sector. Contract farming and direct marketing to retail chains and processing units are the need of the hour he said.

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Jobs and Opportunities in Agriculture – A Lucrative Career Option

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There is no such word as best jobs or best field, every field is a lucrative field if you have the passion for the subject. If you do what you love to, you are definitely going to excel in whatever you do irrespective of the field you are in, irrespective of the fact that it is in boom or not. Hence, when it comes to the agriculture sector, the same applies to it too. If you have a liking for agriculture, then do get into it. There are a variety of job profiles in agriculture and you can choose one according to your area of interest. Yes, agriculture does offer various jobs depending upon your qualification and expertise you are paid for it. Agric Extension – This profile includes training the farmers about the new farming techniques and creating awareness about the latest farming equipments and their utility. This person has to act like a catalyst between the agricultural research institutions and the farmers. Forestry – The designations include that of forest officer, etc and this profile includes taking care of the forest including the flora as well as fauna. The profile requires living inside the forests and ensuring that no illegal activities like cutting trees and killing animals or any other is carried out. Aqua culture of Fish farming – If you love to go fishing down the river or lake, then this is one job profile you would love to have. This profile includes rearing fish, ducks and other aquatic life, their production, selling them, etc. Soil Science – As the name goes this job profile includes the study of the type of soil, the quality of soil and the kind of crop or plant would be suitable for the soil. An interesting job profile if you have interest in soil mechanics. Horticulture – This one is high paying job profile if done well. This one includes the cultivating, maintaining, growing plants that are edible as well as ornamental. Agricultural Engineering – Another high paying career, this job profile involves development of alternate energy to meet the needs of agriculture. This is an interesting career option if you have a knack for engineering and agriculture. Agribusiness – Agribusiness includes the cultivation, processing and selling of agricultural products. This stream is a vast stream and includes agricultural management, marketing as well as price analysis. Agri business can be managed without a degree in the field but a degree in the field is always very beneficial. In a nutshell, there are many opportunities in the agricultural sector and the aforementioned are just a few of them. So, if you have a flair for agriculture you can choose the job profile which suits your interests and you will excel automatically in it.

Jack Lewis talks about Jobs in Agricultural. For More Information Visit Our Website http://www.shireconsulting.co.uk/

How Tropical Storms Impact Florida Bass Fishing

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The arrival of tropical storms, like this year’s Tropical Storm Barry, coincides closely with the typical date for onset of Florida’s so called ‘rainy season’ that generally runs from late May to October. Although Florida fishermen experienced a record ‘dry season’ this year, the occurrence of drought during the cooler winter and spring months was hardly unusual. Bass fishing in [tag-ice]Lake Okeechobee suffered as water levels reached all-time lows, exposing large areas of lake bottom and leaving many boat ramps high and dry.

There has been a silver lining to the drought for the Florida strain of largemouth bass living in Lake O, as some locals call it. The Army Corps of Engineers began a project last year to scrape decades of accumulated “muck” off the exposed lake bed. Phosphorus and nitrogen runoff from fertilizers used on farms, golf courses and lawns has been building up in Okeechobee ever since the natural flow of water out of the lake was reversed early in the 20th century to help retain a supply in Lake O for agriculture and drinking water. These chemicals generate unnatural spread of certain plants and algae which overgrow then die off and coat the bottom this the toxic “muck.”

The bass fishing in Okeechobee should benefit both from Barry’s rain and the new sections of the natural sandy bottom of Lake O revealed after the dredging. As the water levels rise, natural grasses will reclaim the cleaned areas, dissolved oxygen levels should increase in the absence of the artificial plant blooms, and much new spawning habitat will open to the monster bass Lake Okeechobee is famous for.

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