What are the roles of agribusiness in modern agricultural sector?
In my mind, agribusiness = agricultural business, which can mean anything from a small farmer to a giant like Cargill or Monsanto. Thus agribusiness IS the modern agricultural sector, covering just about everything greater than backyard gardeners or subsistence farmers. You'd have to define what YOU mean by "agribusiness". Do you mean only ag businesses larger than a certain size? if so, what size? Are you going by ownership? Many farms are incorporated for tax and liability purposes, yet still closely held by a few family members. Are you talking only publicly-traded corporations? Large, publicly traded corporations are rarely directly involved in actual "farming", but they essentially control all the input and much of the output sectors of agriculture. They've mosly seen the risk/reward of actually growing things to be too great. By inputs, I mean, fertilizer, seed, tractors, etc. Much of these are produced by oligopolies of big companies. By outputs, I mean, packing houses, slaughterhouses, grain elevators and traders, ethanol plants, and such. Its the same story there. Some farmers can find themselves sqeezed between big companies raising prices for inputs, and other companies cutting prices for outputs.
What is the role of science in agriculture?
I’m not sure I completely understand the question but science has been the basis of agriculture since its formation. On the basis that agriculture means the deliberate growth or culture of various plants and animals in a particular region as opposed to ‘hunter/gatherer’ mode of living.It is highly likely that the early farmers soon learned the value of irrigation/nutrient supply/selective breeding/planting/pest control and harvesting timetables etc. All of these, no doubt learned by trial and error but essentially ‘scientific’ observations although they didn’t realize this at the time. Gradually most of these observations became incorporated into practice and techniques developed with corresponding improved production.Although earlier ‘scientific’ principles were deduced from the observed agricultural phenomena, it wasn’t until about the 1600’s and after that Science in general blossomed and agricultural science was included. Especially in the 18th. and 19th. centuries with Mendel, Darwin, the travelling botanists and the understanding of nutrients and chemistry. Later Darwin, Crick and Watson and countless others.So, my understanding of your question is the original practical observations and interventions of ancient farmers and the steady development of a science that is, or can be applied to modern day agriculture confirming past practices and introducing new practices based on scientific method.
What is the importance of agriculture in the growth of any state?
Agriculture, for decades, had been associated with the production of basic food crops. Agriculture and farming were synonymous so long as farming was not commercialized. But as the process of economic development accelerated, many more other occupations allied to farming came to be recognized as a part of Agriculture.At present, agriculture besides farming includes forestry, fruit cultivation, dairy, poultry, mushroom, bee keeping, arbitrary, etc. Today, marketing, processing, distribution of agricultural products etc. are all accepted as a part of modern agriculture.Importance of Agriculture:Agriculture plays a crucial role in the life of an economy. It is the backbone of our economic system. Agriculture not only provides food and raw material but also employment opportunities to a very large proportion of population. 1. Source of Livelihood2. Contribution to National Income3. Supply of Food and Fodder4. Importance in International Trade5. Marketable Surplus6. Source of Raw Material7. Importance in Transport8. Contribution to Foreign Exchange Resources9. Vast Employment Opportunities10. Overall Economic Development11. Source of Saving12. Source of Government Income13. Basis of Economic DevelopmentFor brief description of the Importance of agriculture Visit here.
What is the role of goverment in agriculture development?
A very very important policy question that every state government should be continuously asking itself and reviewing its past policies in terms of their effectiveness and need.Most important is to ensure that there js no lack of information at farmer level and there is little or no information asymmetry in all input and output markets and the markets function in a near perfect competition such that every farmer has a choice and hence near equal market power. This will ensure the farmer get input resources including technology, finance and risk cover at competetive rates and will be able to sell the produce at a price he/she wants in their terms and conditions.Agriculture being a state subject under the Indian constitution, it has the primary responsibility in this regard.