Corporate investment in agriculture research: issues in sustainable development

Abstract

The productivity of agricultural inputs has been consistently declining over last two decades. Given the economic squeeze, Indian economy cannot afford to provide resources required for such a non-sustainable use of inputs. Even in the affluent countries, the non-sustainability of external input oriented agriculture is being realised. The excessive use of pesticides and disruption of the ecological chain due to high residual toxicity and treadmill effect; imbalanced use of nutrients and consequent nutrient mining of soil; declining water tables, etc., are some of the early warning signals. Need for maintaining genetic diversity in different crops and thus fillip to national seed industry is another area of urgent concern. Increasing control of Multi-National Corporations in the agri-input industries is adversely affecting the indigenous incentives for R & D for development of eco-friendly technologies.