Draft agricultural development policy of Kerala state 2013
In an effort to bring a positive change in the lives of lakhs of farmers, the state agriculture department will propagate the concept of ‘intelligent farming’. The draft agricultural development policy recently submitted to the Chief Minister lays focus on human resource development in the sector, which in the long run, would enable even small-scale farmers to have a say in policy matters related to the sector. The policy says the farmers should be equipped with technological skills to facilitate their participation in the decision-making process of the government. Farmers should be given training in technological skills related to production, soil and water management, organisational and management skills, business skills in analysis of cost and benefit, marketing skills, skill for value addition to agriculture produce, handling of information technology tools and credit management expertise, notes the draft policy.