Agriculture is the major contributor to South Asia’s GDP and is the backbone of its economy. About 60% of the population is employed in agriculture, further informing of the importance of agriculture in the region. However, there are multiple challenges, which include natural disasters, diminishing resources, rapid climate change, and most importantly – a large section of the youth population who are moving away from agriculture. To counter these issues, innovation & development must be practiced in the agricultural sector. This article aims to explore the solution to the aforementioned challenges with a focus on regional cooperation, policy development, and technological innovation.
Technological Innovation
Through the adoption of farm mechanization, high-yielding varieties (HYV), and sustainable farming methods, South Asia has experienced progress in agricultural innovation & technology. For example, the success of Bhutan in integrating HYV of vegetables, rice, and maize increased crop production and benefited the cause of sustainable food security (DoA 2018). Using machinery like power tillers and combined harvesters has reduced the heavy dependency on labor and increased production efficiency manifolds in developing countries like Nepal and India (SAC, 2018).
Innovative practices such as poluhouse farming, drip irrigation, and organic farming is gaining traction. For instance, Bhutan adopted organic farming as a government policy, capitalizing on its traditional agricultural practices and reduced use of chemicals, providing natural and nutritious food (Kobauashi et al., 2015). Using such practices ensures the sustainability of soil and water conservation and increases productivity and sustainable food security.
Institutional Support and Policy Framework
Efficient policy frameworks are essential in promoting innovation and development in agriculture. Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness (GNH) approach shows us the importance of sustained growth, with agriculture at the forefront of achieving rural development goals and sustainable food security (DoA, 2011). Bhutan prioritized research on agriculture in its 12th five-year plan, which focuses on organic farming and varieties of climate-resilient crops (ICIMOD, 2018).
Similar to Bhutan, India’s National Mission on Youth Agriculture aims to bring young people to the sector by providing them skill development training, access to modern technologies, and entrepreneurship opportunities (TAAS, 2018). Such initiatives identify the need for constructive policy intervention that aligns agricultural innovation with broader development goals.
Knowledge Sharing and Regional Cooperation
Regional cooperation is essential in South Asia to address the common challenges to agriculture. For the facilitation fo knowledge sharing and cross-border technology transfer, the SAART Agricultural Center (SAC) played an important role; for example, Bhutan benefited from germplasm and agriculture tech transfer with India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, which improved its crop productivity and diversity (SAC, 2018).
The establishment of a regional innovation platform, which the SAC proposed, can help accelerate the adoption of productivity-enhancing and climate-resilient technologies. Such platforms could enable farmers, researchers, and policymakers to cooperate, address region-specific challenges, and share best practices collectively (SAC, 2018).
Conclusion
It is critical for innovation in agriculture to tackle the various challenges faced in South Asia. Development in technology, aided by robust policy frameworks and regional cooperation, can ensure the agricultural sector’s productivity and sustainability and be more youth-friendly. By promoting and practising environment-conducive innovation, South Asia can achieve rural prosperity, food security, and environmental sustainability.
Author: Kazi Altaf Mahmood
References
- Department of Agriculture (DoA). 2011. Renewable Natural Resources Research Policy of Bhutan, 2011. Thimphu: Ministry of Agriculture and Forests.
- DoA. 2018. Inventory of Released and De-notified Crops in Bhutan. Thimphu: Ministry of Agriculture and Forests.
- International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). 2018. Organic Agriculture Development Strategies: Roadmap for 12th Five-Year Plan and Beyond. Kathmandu: ICIMOD.
- Kobayashi, M., R. Chhetri, and K. Fukamachi. 2015. “Transition of Agriculture Towards Organic Farming in Bhutan.” Himalayan Studies Monographs 16: 66–72.
- SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC). 2018. SAARC Agriculture Centre Vision 2020. Dhaka: SAC.
- Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS). 2018. Strategy Paper on Motivating and Attracting Youth in Agriculture. New Delhi: TAAS.
