An open letter to Chief Minister Bihar, Shri Nitish Kumar Ji on forming Agriculture Cabinet

First of all let me congratulate you for forming agriculture Cabinet for Farm sector. This will increase the number count of fancy schemes rolled out by Government of Bihar. As per the common perception of the people near and dear to you, it will bring green revolution in Bihar.
But let me tell you that I beg to differ, your intentions are good but still you will fail, as the agricultural development policy of Bihar has N number of flaws but I will be highlighting some major ones.

Absence of APMC Act:
For boosting production and productivity of Agri-produce, an efficient market is needed i.e. more number of buyers of agricultural produce, but unfortunately instead of modifying APMC act and increase the number of market yards with high tech facilities, APMC act has been repealed.
This has decreased the number of options available with the farmers and it will result in the following outcomes
• Farmers of Bihar will become laggards, as the market signals will have greater lag before it reaches them.
• Agri-Processing Industry will take a lot of time to develop, as the supply will be staggered and widely separated thus increasing the payback period of Agri-processors.
Low use of IT:
The use of IT in agriculture of Bihar is very low and there is a lot of information asymmetry about the programme/scheme among the intended beneficiary. This gives rise to rent seeking behavior.
I think, this problem can be tackled by documenting the major programmes and making it available in the form of CD in every Panchyat/Block.
Corrupt and Defunct Agricultural institution:
Rajendra Agricultural University, Department of Agriculture and Co-operation (DAC) Bihar, ATMA, Krishi Vigyan Kendra’s, Kisan Call centers and zonal research stations are sitting with ample human resource base, with loosely defined targets. They are enjoying their leisure time without showcasing the desired result.
I think this problem will be rectified by including performance appraisal system by the intended beneficiaries.
Poor flow of institutional credit
The flow of institutional credit to farmers for the purpose of farming is very low as most of the loans to priority sector are given for trucks, tempos and tractors etc.
The GoB should try to redefine priority sector, and ensure smooth flow of institutional credit to the farming community.

To conclude, I know a lot of queries and doubts can be raised on this as well, but believe me this will follow the Pareto’s 80-20 rule and you can see the desirable change within 3-4 years (gestation period) or else you can keep beating the bush by forming whatever you like.

Warm Regards,
Om Prakash Singh

Who killed the golden goose ?

A person was searching for something beneath the lamp post.
Another person who was looking at him asked what are you looking for?
Oh! I have lost my ring.
Where?
It has fallen in the lane 500 meters from here.
Then why are you searching here?
How can I search there, that lane is dark.
This is the story, which I have read when I was a kid.

The same story is being repeated with changed characters in agricultural development today. Agriculture is going through a sea change from traditional to high-tech in terms of Agri-inputs, production process, post harvest operations and then its marketing.

New technical knowledge is not being transferred to the farmers. Public extension system has almost gone defunct and the private extension system has limited coverage.
Changing social dynamics is not favoring farming as a profession; return per human resource is low. Knowledge of agricultural operation which was transferred from father to son is not taking place. Gradually the indigenous knowledge is being lost. New breed of farmers are at the mercy of agri-input retailers, who will obviously pass on products which are available with them and assures them a higher margin.
These unfavorable developments are compounded by climatic aberrations, leading to increasing incidences of crop failure.

Amid this tumultuous scenario, Golden goose has been cut for election campaign.
Instead of strengthening dilapidated Agri-extension network the government has chosen the easy and election winning path of loan waiver.

Bankers are washing the hands in the holy river; they booked most of the NPA accounts in rural areas as Agri loan and cleaned their books.

Now, farmers have become untouchable in the formal financial system and have no option but to go back to the money lenders or grease the hands of bank branch managers.

Jan Lokpal bill will be just another bill!

I am highly obliged to Anna Hazzare ji for awakening lazy public representatives from their so called deep slumber of ignorance. AAM ADMI (general public) has become a real AAM (mango) being enjoyed by corrupt officials and representatives.

This season of AAM (Mango) is coinciding with the election in Assam, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. There are several lucrative offers being made to the voters except real good governance.

GOI boasts of having several social welfare schemes for the needy, but most of them are falling short of more than 50% of the desired target.
What is the reason behind it? Let’s take a deep dive to find out the reason for the same.

Lack of standardization of processes

Officials in charge for dispensing these social schemes have their offices either at block or district headquarters, and the person who really needs social welfare scheme are either too old or illiterate or handicapped; incapable to run to block or district head office every now and then. Even if the intended beneficiary dares to visit the concerned office then there will be a day long exercise session to get the right form, as there is hardly any standard format being recommended by state or central government.

Local middleman
If the person is lucky and intelligent enough, then the correct and complete form is assured, but the remaining journey will not be a cruise without middlemen, who charge its share in the pound of flesh.


Due to these small but obvious problems like the two mentioned above.
I think this Jan Lokpal bill will not bring a sea change as expected by many of us, but will be just another bill and will not eradicate the problem of petty corruption flourishing at grass root level.