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May 4, 2025
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Effective Governance Will Sustain Asia-Pacific Economic Growth And Improve Its Quality: UN Report

By
The CSR Journal
-

Effective governance and improved fiscal management are essential to sustaining robust economic growth and improving its quality, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) said in its annual flagship report launched on Monday. The Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2017 highlights that despite a broadly positive economic outlook for 2017, Asia-Pacific economies are vulnerable to rising global uncertainty and trade protectionism.

The region’s developing economies are projected to grow at 5.0 and 5.1% in 2017 and 2018, respectively, up from 4.9% last year, according to the survey.

Economic conditions are broadly stable in China and higher value-added sectors are gradually replacing excess capacity sectors as drivers of output and employment. The continued softening of economic growth in China, projected at 6.5% in 2017 against 6.7% in 2016, reflects ongoing deleveraging and restructuring efforts to boost output in the medium term. Growth in India is forecast at 7.1% this year as re-monetisation restores consumption and infrastructure spending increases. Relatively higher oil prices are projected to lift economic growth in the Russian Federation by 1.1% in 2017 after last year’s contraction of 0.2%.

The projected moderate Asia-Pacific economic growth faces risks from rising protectionism and global uncertainty.  The Survey estimates that a steeper-than-anticipated increase in these factors could reduce average regional growth in 2017 by up to 1.2 percentage points.

Launching the survey in Bangkok, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and ESCAP Executive Secretary Dr. Shamshad Akhtar emphasized that better governance for effective mobilisation and use of fiscal resources is critical to advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

“As we enter the second year of the 2030 Agenda, economic growth in Asia-Pacific economies is steady but modest amid prolonged weak external demand and rising trade protectionism. Future economic growth will need to rely more on productivity gains, compared to factor accumulation,” said Dr. Akhtar.

“Sustained productivity gains, in turn, will require effective institutions and better governance, in both public and private spheres,” she added. “In addition to ensuring sustained and robust economic growth, policymakers will need to address social and environmental challenges in order to improve the quality of this growth.”

The survey highlights the importance of effective governance and fiscal management, given the high demands on fiscal policy to address the diverse challenges to sustainable development. For instance, economic expansion has been accompanied by rising income inequality with inadequate creation of decent jobs in the region, which trails the world in social protection coverage. Developing Asia-Pacific economies also use twice as many resources per dollar of GDP as the rest of the world.

To address these challenges, the survey calls for effective governance, in particular a proactive fiscal policy through productive investments in such areas as infrastructure, social protection and resource efficiency. Effective governance can for example, improve health outcomes in the Pacific, promote economic diversification in North and Central Asia and the creation of decent jobs in South and South-West Asia, reduce development gaps in South-East Asia and accelerate ecological innovation in East and North-East Asia.

The survey recommends that structural reforms could complement fiscal policy and help increase potential output. It notes that governments provide an enabling environment of policies, institutions and public services that helps factor and product markets to work efficiently.

The survey evaluates governance quality by analyzing data on rule of law, regulatory quality, control of corruption and government effectiveness. A marginal improvement of institutional quality is observed in the Asia-Pacific region, primarily from gains in East and North-East Asia and in landlocked developing countries, particularly in North and Central Asia.

The survey finds that when institutions are weak, inequalities tend to increase and the pace of poverty reduction declines. The quality of governance also affects environmental outcomes, as reflected for instance in varying capacities to make and apply environmental rules and safeguards, and initiate ecological innovation and technological transfer.

The quality of governance also impacts revenue mobilisation, as willingness to pay taxes is influenced by public perception of government expenditure efficiency. The survey further highlights the importance of transparency and accountability for better governance, and advocates for the production and dissemination of key fiscal data and development of capacity to monitor, evaluate and audit policies as essential to effective governance.


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Bajaj Wants Govt To Clarify On Tax Exemption On CSR Spending

By
The CSR Journal
-

Bajaj Group patriarch Rahul Bajaj has asked the government to clarify whether the Indian firms spending two per cent of their profits on corporate social responsibility, as mandated by the new company law, should get tax exemption on it.

Citing the conflicts in the tax laws, the veteran industry leader on Saturday said that when the companies spend money on charitable trust or donate to institutions as the Prime Minister Relief Fund, then they get exemptions but CSR spending is taxed.

“Today you spend money on R&D and you get 130 to 150% write off. You give money into the PM Relief Fund, you will get 100 per cent write off. On various things, you donate you get write off. Will you give it to the same organisation for CSR. You said that you would not get. There is contradiction in terms. It’s not clear at all,” Bajaj said.

However, he also said: “We do not want any exemption and incentive but there is a clear cut anomaly there.”

According to Bajaj, who is now involved with few NGOs and charitable organisations as member of the board of trustees and chairman, CSR is also like a philanthropy and “anomaly has to be clarified by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and the Ministry of Finance”.

The Companies Act of 2013 has made it mandatory on the corporates to spend two percent of their average net profit of the past three years on corporate social responsibility-driven activities.

“It is for CII to consider whether they deem fit it to refer the concerned relevant committee to make it to the government and the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and Finance Ministry also,” Bajaj said while addressing the annual session of industry body CII here.

According to him, if a company spends on charitable work through CSR, then the end recipient get the amount after tax is paid. “I know people who are associated with outstanding organisations including Nobel Peace Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi, I know how difficult it is for him to get money,” he said.

Thermax Chairperson Meher Pudumjee said that there was a need to think beyond CSR activities involving public private participation.

Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Co CMD Jamshyd N Godrej said that there is no short of cause for spending on social works.

According to Godrej, there is need to think beyond the traditional philanthropy leveraging intellectual, financial and human capital.

Infosys co-founder S Gopalakrishnan said more funds (as part of CSR and philanthropy) needs to be channelled into research in various areas.

Kris, as Gopalakrishnan is popularly called, has donated USD 1.8 million to Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) for brain research.

He has also committed funding in a brain research centre at the Indian Institute of Science and set up three chairs at the Centre for Computational Brain Research, IIT Madras.

(Business Standard)

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The CSR Journal Team

NABFINS And Swades Foundation Join Hands To Initiate Customised Microfinance For Rural India

By
The CSR Journal
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NABARD Financial Services Limited (NABFINS), a subsidiary of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) would be initiating its direct lending operations in Raigad in partnership with Swades Foundation. Swades Foundation is working on developing the local entrepreneurial ecosystem in Raigad focused on animal husbandry, food and agro-processing units, self-help groups based small and medium businesses.

The MoU would initiate customised microfinance lending in Raigad district of Maharashtra. The partnership was formally launched at an event in Mahad recently and attended by J K Mohapatra, IAS (Retd), Chairman NABFINS, Dr B S Suran, Managing Director, NABFINS and Ronnie & Zarina Screwvala, Founding Trustees of Swades Foundation. The MoU between the two institutions was signed and 47 loans were sanctioned at the event itself.

About 500 local villagers and project beneficiaries were also present at the launch.

Speaking on the occasion, J K Mohapatra from NABFINS said, “We believe in banking to the un-banked, providing them access to affordable financial services and the partnership between NABFINS and Swades would further this objective. The strong connect that Swades has with the community is a big facilitator.”

Swades-NABFINS partnership will enable the rural households in Raigad engaged in diary activities to access the formal credit market at reasonable interest rates. As a part of the plan, over 2,500 rural entrepreneurs are expected to be benefited

Swades Foundation operates to empower rural India through the best practices, modern technology and values. “This partnership will facilitate empowerment and provide tailor made financial services for each kind of enterprise. Availability of adequate and transparent credit from formal channels shall allow the entrepreneurial spirit of the masses to increase output and prosperity and decrease forced migration to the city,” said Ronnie Screwvala from Swades Foundation.

Thank you for reading the story until the very end. We appreciate the time you have given us. In addition, your thoughts and inputs will genuinely make a difference to us. Please do drop in a line and help us do better.

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The CSR Journal Team

Mainstreaming SDGs In Business World

By
Prerana Langa, CEO, Yes Foundation
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The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) played a major role in channelising global attention towards fundamental development issues. As the MDGs transitioned into Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it has given way to a set of 17 integrated and indivisible goals which are broader and more ambitious in scope.

The Indian economy boasts of a vibrant growth story and is dependent on various socio-economic and environmental factors. India is pivotal to the eventual outcome of SDGs. Many of the Indian government’s schemes and policies, and their strategic vision for achieving prosperity are linked to these SDGs. It will be imperative to develop creative models that mainstream SDGs in India and further accelerate the nation’s efforts in achieving the global development goals. Some keypoints in mainstreaming SDGs include:

  1. Development communication of SDGs: A critical factor for the slow progress achieved by MDGs was the lack of awareness among the general public about them. It is necessary to inspire new communication means and bring together different actors to communicate the SDGs by bridging the gap between policy experts, campaigners, and communication experts. Further, ‘localisation’ of the goals is imperative to allow people around India’s diverse landscape to take ownership of their development agenda. NGOs can play a significant role in communicating the SDGs to the local public by employing social storytelling. There is tremendous scope for the government and development organisations to make SDGs comprehensible to the widerpopulace.
  2. Big data and digital connectedness for developing effective solutions: Mainstreaming SDGs demands a digitally connected India. Building national data banks on fundamental development challenges like poverty, hunger and education among other which are accessible and scalable by multi-sector organisations is critical. This is a fairly untapped resource and can enable organisations to amplify the awareness of SDGs through effective knowledge-sharing.
  3. Importance of engaging youth in actioning solutions on SDGs: Youth possess the sensitivity andenergy to develop innovative social solutions and catalyze chain reactions of positive change. Youth-led organisations are critical in translation, implementation and review of SDGs into local, national and regional policy and holding the government accountable. The United Nations has also placed a particular focus on youth with regard to SDGs and considers them to be a key partner in the achievement of the goals
  4. Importance of partnerships between Government, Corporates, NGOs and Academia: Multi-stakeholder partnerships at global, national and local levels have a key role to play in mobilising and sharing knowledge, expertise, technologies and financial resources to support the achievement of SDGs. Governments alone cannot achieve the agenda and can be assisted by corporates who possess the requisite business skills, resources and knowledge.

Corporates and SDGs:                         

The 17 goals are directly or indirectly relevant for business. It has been well realised that the private sector has an important role to play in tackling social issues. The efforts being put in by the government and the civil society to combat these problems by finding new solutions need to be augmented by the business sector. The SDGs represent an unprecedented opportunity for companies to align their own sustainability goals with broader societal goals. Apart from having a broader perspective, SDGs have explicitly recognised the key roles of science, technology innovation (STI), along with information and communications technology (ICT), industrialisation and infrastructure in India’s socio-economic development, making corporates the harbingers of development in the country.

There is a high level of SDG awareness among the business community, along with opportunities to convert this awareness into action. In the private sector, commitment to social responsibility implies a dedication to transparent reporting of the organisation’s business impact on planet and people besides profit. Corporates are now aligning their strategies with the SDGs and adopting the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) approach, which is a proactive step in providing increased transparency and a broader framework for decision making. It can help organisations measure, understand and communicate their sustainability performance towards the SDGs.

Successful execution of SDGs will also build up the ecosystem for doing business and building markets. In addition to being in agreement with new national and international policies, corporates getting engaged with SDGs are more likely to find resilient and sustainable business models.

In 2014, the U.N. Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) had estimated that if the SDGs are to be successful, they will require between $3.3 and $4.5 trillion in funding each year in the developing world alone. At the current level of funding from both the public and private sectors, there is still a funding gap that needs to be filled.

Banks play a vital role in directing funds to projects which have the potential to impact society/environment and therefore have a critical role to play in areas of Climate Change and Environmental finance. Banks in India are increasingly incorporating environmental and social aspects in their credit risk framework. This not only helps reduce project vulnerability but also presents potential opportunity to contribute to the SDGs. Banks are also coming up with Green Bonds and Blue Bonds to enable effective water infrastructure management and augmentation.

Critical role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in mainstreaming SDGs:

More and more companies are taking up social programs leading to overall development through CSR. Corporate Foundationsin India should work to advance sustainable development by taking a conscious collaborative approach to SDGs. In addition to fostering collaboration, corporates can help SDG efforts through advocacy, facilitating implementation, helping to identify ways to measure success of the programs, etc. Through CSR, corporates can also support social innovations, bringing business expertise to develop solutions to mitigate chronic social issues.

One of the real benefits of the SDGs is that, for the first time, the world has universal development goals, representing a pivotal shift in development paradigms. Equally important, the goals reflect the interconnectedness of social, economic and environmental challenges providing the world with an opportunity to tackle them. The SDGs provide a great opportunity to achieve India’s social transformation in a short period of time if all stakeholders come together and work towards it.

Prerana Langa is the CEO of Yes Foundation, social development arm of Yes Bank. She developed YES! i am the CHANGE, a mindset transformation project, innovatively using the medium of films to ignite the spirit of driving positive social change amongst the youth enabling them to become agents of social change.

Views of the author are personal and do not necessarily represent the website’s views.

Thank you for reading the story until the very end. We appreciate the time you have given us. In addition, your thoughts and inputs will genuinely make a difference to us. Please do drop in a line and help us do better.

Regards,
The CSR Journal Team

Leverage CSR To Address Developmental Challenges: President

By
The CSR Journal
-

President Pranab Mukherjee urged India Inc to leverage corporate social responsibility (CSR) to address higher developmental challenges in India, saying the country needs visionary business leaders to catalyse the growth process.

“I would like to remind industry that just as much as the funds, the country also needs your ideas, energy and drive. I urge you to leverage CSR to re-imagine interventions and transformative solutions to address the higher developmental challenges in India.

“I would also request you to have a pan-Indian outlook and not limit yourself to a few geographies for CSR development,” Mukherjee said.

Addressing an award function in New Delhi, the president observed that an inclusive growth process requires Indian industry to assume the mantle of responsibility and corporate citizenship.

“India needs visionary business leaders to manage the country’s transition to a knowledge economy and catalyse the growth process,” he said.

Mukherjee said the Indian industry has displayed tremendous zeal and initiative in contributing to the betterment of this country.

“The reach of industry in India touches lives of our citizens through different ways such as jobs, entrepreneurship, consumer goods or social development goods including education and healthcare,” he said at the function organised by CII.

He pointed out that with the CSR legislation, the scale and scope of social programmes that can be undertaken by the industry has been further enhanced.

(Business Standard)

Thank you for reading the story until the very end. We appreciate the time you have given us. In addition, your thoughts and inputs will genuinely make a difference to us. Please do drop in a line and help us do better.

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The CSR Journal Team

GNFC Wins Golden Globe Tigers Award

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The CSR Journal
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State-owned Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilisers and Chemicals Ltd (GNFC) has won the prestigious Golden Globe Tigers Award for Excellence and Leadership in CSR in the category of ‘E-Payment Leadership’ for the implementation of digital transactions in its township at Bharuch, Gujarat.

The award recognizes ‘Tigers’ in marketing, branding CSR & social innovation, education & academic across leadership levels in individual and organisation.

Applicants included SMEs, Public, Private, Government Enterprises and NGOs for the year 2017. The Golden Globe Tigers CSR Award was given to GNFC at a gala ceremony of Golden Globe Tigers Night 2017. The event was attended by global CSR leaders from over 43 countries.

The Golden Globe Tigers CSR Award was established by World CSR Institute. A total of 30 applications were shortlisted and winners were decided on the impact, scale and replicability of the CSR initiatives. Among these, GNFC was selected as the winner for its leadership in the field of cashless payments.

GNFC emerged as the first fertilizer company in India to transition to cashless economy successfully. Its township in Bharuch, Gujarat became the first 100% cashless township of India after demonetization in November 2016. It followed three precise and concise steps that began with trainings and digital literacy campaigns far and wide, followed by building and adapting infrastructure, and concluded with cross functional task force deployed for implementation, outreach and support. Knowledge sharing and cross silo functioning of GNFC Township and (n) Code, GNFC’s IT wing optimised results.

Under the auspice of NITI Aayog, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently launched from Nagpur GNFC’s replicated cashless township model in 81 integrated townships across 12 states.

Thank you for reading the story until the very end. We appreciate the time you have given us. In addition, your thoughts and inputs will genuinely make a difference to us. Please do drop in a line and help us do better.

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FDEC Commences Roll-Out Of Malaria Demonstration Project

By
The CSR Journal
-

The Foundation for Disease Elimination and Control of India (FDEC-INDIA), Indian Council of Medical Research and Govt. of Madhya Pradesh announced Phase 1 roll-out of Malaria demonstration project in Mandla, Madhya Pradesh. This Phase will focus on community awareness and education programs among the community residents in Mandla. Minister of State for Health, Fagan Singh Kuleste made the announcement.

FDEC-INDIA has been established by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries for disease elimination and control initiatives undertaken through its CSR programme.

National Institute for Research in Tribal Health (NIRTH)/ICMR, Govt of MP and FDEC-India are jointly accomplishing the goals of malaria elimination and to prevent re-introduction by use of vector control indoor residual spray and/or use of insecticide treated long-lasting bednets (LLINs) and case management (rapid on-the-spot diagnosis and prompt treatment) as per national and/or WHO norms of malaria elimination efforts. All appropriate stakeholders will execute the malaria elimination project over a span of 3 to 5 years covering over 1,200 villages in Mandla district.

As part of the Phase-I roll-out, in addition to the community awareness programmes, FDEC will begin intense case & surveillance-based malaria control using RDTs, ACTs, LLIN bednets and insecticide spray. Over the next two years, it will focus on sensitising local communities about detection and treatment requirements to keep them malaria free while continuing intense surveillance-based malaria control and community-based awareness & education programs. The Foundation will also undertake measures to prevent re-introduction of malaria into Mandla district from outside areas and mobilize communities to ‘look’ for introduction of new cases by travellers from neighbouring districts.

According to Dr. S.Y. Quraishi, Chairman of the Foundation for Disease Elimination and Control of India (FDEC-India), “Malaria elimination has been recognised as a global priority and a target of 2030 has been established for elimination. The Public-Private-Partnership is an important collaboration to meet health challenges and future health initiatives.”

“Our goal is to provide better intervention in hard to reach areas to eliminate malaria from underprivileged communities residing in 1233 villages of district Mandla. We have started from the remote parts to serve the underserved community.  For malaria elimination, the participation of individuals and community leader is essential.  As part of our strategy, we will stay engaged with communities throughout the district and inform them about project goals, progress of the project, and seek feedback,” said Dr. Neeru Singh, Director, National Institute for Research in Tribal Health, Indian Council of Medical Research, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

According to WHO estimates, India contributes about 70% of malaria cases in South East Asia Regional countries. India has the highest number of deaths outside the African continent, with approximately 181.3 million at high risk and 997.4 million people at low and high risk. Malaria has been shown to impede development, saving and investment, worker productivity, and per-capita gross domestic product. Malaria has also been shown to promote school and workplace absenteeism. It has been proven that there is a strong correlation between malaria and poverty, and malaria endemic countries have lower rates of economic growth.

Thank you for reading the story until the very end. We appreciate the time you have given us. In addition, your thoughts and inputs will genuinely make a difference to us. Please do drop in a line and help us do better.

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The CSR Journal Team

Sweden Keen To Collaborate On Climate Issues

By
The CSR Journal
-

Sweden is keen to collaborate with Maharashtra on waste management, smart cities, and renewable energy.

“I exchanged views with both the governments at the centre and in the state on global climate change efforts, ongoing international negotiations and the potential for bilateral cooperation,” visiting Swedish deputy minister on climate Eva Svedling said here today.

The minister met chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and the state environment minister Ramdas Kadam and discussed collaboration on climate change and sustainability solutions.

“Sweden and our business are ready to work with India on the important transformation taking place, when it comes to smart and healthy cities, renewable energy and more,” she told reporters here after addressing the students of the Welingkar Institute of Communication.

Swedish companies have advanced solutions for smart energy, urban transportation, waste management and air quality, she stressed. There are over a 100 Swedish companies operating in the state which could support the clean agenda. These companies employ over 1.8 lakh directly, and 1.3 million people indirectly, she said.

Her visit is a follow-up to the joint statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Swedish counterpart Stefan Lofven during his state visit to India last year.

“I have learnt and seen first-hand the potential and opportunities as well as the challenges faced by India, Maharashtra and Mumbai, in relation to climate change and sustainability. Climate change is a top priority for our government,” Svedling said.

She also visited the dumping grounds at Govandi earlier in the day and took a ride on the Volvo hybrid city bus which is operating in Navi-Mumbai, which saves fuel up to 40 per cent in real operating conditions.

Sweden has long-term goals of reducing emissions by 70 per cent by 2030 from the 2010 levels, as well as becoming the first fossil fuel-free country by 2040, with net zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2045.

(Money Control)

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Community Civilisation Should Be Learnt From Tribals : Dr Prakash Amte

By
Pooja Domadia
-

Doctors by profession and humans by conduct, Dr Prakash Amte and his wife Dr Mandakini Amte have been working for tribal population in the remote areas of Maharashtra and innocent animals for decades. They were honoured with Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2008 for ‘Community Leadership’.

Their story became popular after a biopic titled ‘Dr Prakash Baba Amte: The Real Hero’ starring actors Nana Patekar and Sonali Kulkarni was released in 2014. The couple along with their family lives in Hemalkasa, a tribal belt in Maharashtra plagued by Naxalite violence.

In 1973, they started Lok Boradri Prakalp for tribal development and worked extensively for upliftment of rural tribes Madias and Gonds in Gadchiroli district. Amtes’ are accredited for introducing medical treatment and working towards eradication of superstitions in the community. They started providing medical aid to people there and taking care of their health despite all barriers like language, fear in the minds of locals, geography, terrain and others. Currently, Lok Biradri Prakalp has three main projects- orphanage for wild animals, a hospital and residential school for tribal community.

The CSR Journal spoke to Dr Prakash Amte about tribal development and the lessons we in urban India need to learn from the community. Excerpts from the interview…

Living amidst the tribal populations for all these years, what according to you are the major problems they face?

Tribal pockets live in isolation from the rest of the country. This isolation leads to their exploitation as they lack knowledge about how the outside world works. They are easily deceived by many including government officers.

People here are very superstitious. They would believe in black magic and easily beat up someone in case they are told that any person is possessed with spirit, etc. Animal sacrifices are very common. This non-progressive irrational mindset leaves them behind in many ways.

What are these exploitations they face?

Tribes are the original habitants and protectors of forests. But now that forests belong to government, they have to face problems on their own land. Officials know that people there do not know their rights owing to which they are made to work for staying in the forests. They are left with no place to go. They would be punished for hunting in the forests which now officially belongs to the government. It is now that they have gradually started getting their land rights.

They are exploited in many ways in their routine lives. They fear people dressed in clothes. Women face tortures like rape by outsiders including government officials.

They say, our ancestral ways of living had a lot of wisdom. What kind of wisdom can we learn from them?

People here live together. In many ways, their mindsets are more open than the ones in mainstream parts of India. I would rather say, in many ways, they are more civilised than the so-called civilised population of the country.

They believe in community living. You wouldn’t find anyone begging; they help each other. There are no crimes like rapes and thefts here.

Women have better status in their society. Many times, women here look more empowered than other places. People are free to choose their partners. Widow re-marriages are not looked down upon; nor are pregnancies before marriage. All problems of the village will be sorted in the village itself with discussions. There is a lot that needs to be learned from them.

How do tribal ways of living affect forest lands?

Tribal people do not have a tendency to save. Owing to this, they didn’t cut more trees earlier. They cut wood only in the quantities they needed. They didn’t know the commercial value of wood. However, this practice is changing now. This practice helped the maintenance of the cycle of natural resources. Some of their traditions also help preventing deforestation.

Some of their practices also left negative impact on environment. Some tribes would stay at a place only for few years. In about three years, after using the resources, cutting trees and burning the area, they would move forward to another place. This affected the natural reserve. Practitioners of these however were less in numbers thus not impacting highly.

In what ways can government and corporate bodies help the development of tribal community?

Education is the key to development. They need to be educated and connected to the world outside. Initially they used to be hostile, but with passage of time and our work here, their approach has changed. They are now more open to ‘civilised’ people.

Corporate organisations and government bodies can support their education and healthcare. This would help opening of their mindsets to a new world and new ideologies.

Thank you for reading the story until the very end. We appreciate the time you have given us. In addition, your thoughts and inputs will genuinely make a difference to us. Please do drop in a line and help us do better.

Regards,
The CSR Journal Team

Climate Change: In Big Relief, FAO Says Agriculture In India On Right Path

By
The CSR Journal
-

Indian agriculture can overcome problems of climate change and take the path of sustainable and climate-smart agriculture (CSA) by using mitigation techniques and adapting technology and new crop patterns, according to Shyam Khadka. Khadka, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) representative in India, was speaking at a conference organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

“The good news for India is that it has well-developed agriculture systems. Besides, it has several agricultural universities. Even private parties are entering agricultural research. Put together they not only have agricultural research systems, but capacity to do the research. It has produced results since 1960s, taking food production up 5 times by now,” he said at a meet on sustainable and CSA.

While stating that India’s numerous agro-climatic conditions pose a challenge to its manoeuvrability in the wake of climate change, Khadka said that India has already identified the direction it has to take in terms of crop shifting, citing the ‘Go East’ policy announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Drawing example from sugarcane cultivation in Maharashtra, Khadka said that water-intensive crop was not suitable for the water-starved state, but was suitable to states in the Gangetic plains like Bihar and Brahmaputra— irrigated Assam. “Eventually it has to be realised that there are underused resources there and over-extraction of resources here (in Maharashtra),” he said.

“As a country, policy directions are there for India. The Prime Minister has talked about the ‘Go East’ policy. That means the focus will be on Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Assam and Odisha. It is just that it has to be implemented on the ground,” Khadka explained. Developed by FAO of the United Nations, the concept of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is an approach that helps to guide actions needed to transform and reorient agriculture systems to effectively support development and ensure food security in the changing ecosystem.

Thank you for reading the story until the very end. We appreciate the time you have given us. In addition, your thoughts and inputs will genuinely make a difference to us. Please do drop in a line and help us do better.

Regards,
The CSR Journal Team

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