1. Presentation An Livelihoods in Agriculture State of India’s Livelihoods (SOIL) The 4P Report New Delhi, November 17, 2010

2. The Livelihood School In Agricultural Production we are doing well Have reached food sufficiency In Groundnut, Buffalo milk: Top in World In Paddy, Wheat, Cow Milk we are Number Two

3. The Livelihood School But Livelihoods in Agriculture are not something to be proud of 50% of the people, who produce food for the whole country, get only 17% of the national income While share of agriculture is only 1.2% of GDP in USA, only 0.6% people depend in it

4. The Livelihood School Why? Inadequate growth of non-farm employment Productivity Stagnant Prices Stagnant (except little correction in 2009) Costs are Up Cost of Inputs Cost of Labor Cost of living Increasing risks in agriculture Agriculture is Non-remunerative for most crops

5. The Livelihood School Why? 60%+ land still not irrigated: Poor quality Cash crops affecting food security Distribution of food-grains in a mess Import or Produce : A tough choice Feminization and Aging of agriculture Booming micro-finance: Increased cost without commensurate increased return

6. The Livelihood School Positive changes Many large multilateral programs Improved investment environment Market efforts of coming closer to producers Recovery of retail industry Alternate Implementation Model (AIM) for PPCP: Blurring boundaries There are also emerging markets for social services

7. The Livelihood School Policy environment New environment of good governance Farmer-centric policy: National Commission on Farmers Regionalized agricultural policy Focus on employment generation Focus on Convergence. Policy Attention on Food Security, on Financial Inclusion and Inclusive Growth Increased concerns about climate-induced vulnerability

8. The Livelihood School Challenges Balancing interest of Labor-Farmer- Consumers Management of food-related inflation Introduction of BT Crops: food and non-food Distress at farmer level causing increasing number of suicides Management of increasing risks in agriculture Diverting agricultural land for development of infrastructure and industry

9. The Livelihood School Steps we need to take… Invest into improving the quality of natural resources: land, water, forests Facilitate migration from agriculture to non-farm activities Develop technology for rainfed small holding farmers Build on the MF movement to transform it into a Credit Plus movement

10. Presentation An Thank you…