UGC Sponsored National Seminar On “Emerging Challenges in Indian Agriculture: The Looking Forward” Date: 5th & 6 th November, 2016 Organized by Department of Economics Gossaigaon College Gossaigaon – 783360 , BTAD , In Collaboration with Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) Gossaigaon College

INVITATION Dear Sir/Madam, It is really a privilege to inform you with immense pleasure that the Department of Economics, Gossaigaon College, Gossaigaon, Assam is going to organize a two days National Seminar on “Emerging Challenges in Indian Agriculture: The Looking Forward” in the College premises on 5th & 6 th November, 2016. The Seminar intends to provide a forum of scholars, researchers and academicians to interact and exchange views on this topic We, therefore, cordially invite you to actively participate and contribute a research paper in the seminar and make it a grand success. Yours faithfully, Dr. N. K. Brahma Dr. Dinesh Das Principal & Chairman Convener Shri Sanjoy Narzary Organizing Secretary National Seminar Organizing Committee Gossaigaon College Profile of the College: Gossaigaon College is the only institution of higher learning in the Gossaigaon Civil Sub- Division of in Assam. Established in the year 1971, Gossaigaon College has progressed by leaps and bounds against heavy odds discharging its sacred mission “to meet the aspirations of higher education of the local people mostly the tribals, to promote women education and to provide science education at minimum costs in order to bring about an alround development of the area as a whole”. The College is located about 50 km away towards the west of Kokrajhar, the Headquarter of Bodoland Territorial Area District (BTAD) of Assam. The beautiful natural sal trees which stand gloriously by the side of the College provide a peaceful and cordial atmosphere for teaching and learning process. The commitment and determination of the College authority bore fruit to get a real shot when the Arts stream of the College was brought under the deficit grant-in-aid system in 1978 and was affiliated to the Gauhati University and registered under the UGC 2f Act in 1990. The College was brought under the provincialised system by the Govt. of Assam. The Science of the College has been provincilised under provision 4 (1) of the Assam Venture Educational Institutions (Provincilisation of Service) Act, 2011 as Amended 2012 & 2013. “Emerging Challenges in Indian Agriculture: The Looking Forward” Thematic Rationale: Agriculture plays a pivotal role in the Indian economy. Although its contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) is now around one sixth, it provides employment to 56 per cent of the Indian workforce. Also, the forward and backward linkage effects of agriculture growth increase the incomes in the non-agriculture sector. The growth of some commercial crops has significant potential for promoting exports of agricultural commodities and bringing about faster development of agro-based industries. Thus agriculture not only contributes to overall growth of the economy but also reduces poverty by providing employment and food security to the majority of the population in the country and thus it is the most inclusive growth sectors of the Indian economy. The 12th Five Year Plan Approach Paper also indicates that agricultural development is an important component of faster, more inclusive sustainable growth approach. India has made great strides in increasing foodgrain production since the Green Revolution era of the mid-sixties. During the last one decade, production of maize and cotton has doubled. In the recent past, the growth rates in horticulture, livestock and fishery sectors have been impressive and have significantly contributed towards agricultural gross domestic product (AgGDP). The average agriculture sector growth over the last three years has remained around 4.7%. Nevertheless, the declining total factor productivity, diminishing and degrading natural resources and stagnating farm incomes have become major concerns. The impact of trade liberalization on agriculture and the global climate change are new challenges. At the same time, new opportunities are emerging for Indian agriculture. Commercialization of agriculture, diversification towards high-value commodities and integration with the global markets are the new opportunities. It appears that the Indian agriculture, being at the cross-roads, is currently facing both unprecedented challenges and unparalleled opportunities. The key challenges to be addressed are: (i) weakening of input delivery and local agri- governance systems; (ii) increasing risk in agriculture due to weather, prices and trade polices, including the impact of globalization; (iii) small, declining and fragmented holdings; (iv) growing marketing inefficiencies and increasing agri-waste; and (v) limited employment opportunities in non-farm sector. These challenges can have serious implications on the farm income and the future of Indian agriculture. In many ways, these can even neutralize the contributions made through various technological breakthroughs. Neglecting these challenges at this juncture could adversely affect the national food and livelihood security, especially for the resource poor farmers. Appropriate policy and institutional responses are, therefore, needed to address these challenges by up-scaling and out-scaling some of the successful models evolved both within and outside the country. On a brighter side, new opportunities are unfolding in the form of increased demand for agricultural commodities in both the domestic and global markets as a result of higher economic growth and rising consumers’ income levels. The growing international demand for rice, wheat and maize besides that for cotton, soy meal, fish, meat, poultry, etc. also opens up enormous opportunities for export. In addition, the increasing demand for high-value commodities such as fruits, vegetables, milk, meat, flowers, etc. and agri- processed products in the domestic markets is pointing towards potential prosperity that can be brought about in the farm sector. The entry of corporate sector in developing and delivering market-driven technologies, contract farming, processing agri-products, developing organized retailing and exploring markets for exports is providing a new dimension to Indian agriculture. Innovative policies, appropriate institutional arrangements and market driven technologies can, on the contrary, harness the untapped opportunities and provide the needed benefits to the entire farming community. A few scattered successful models that have taken advantage of the new options have come up by appropriately addressing the key challenges. It is, indeed, a daunting task for the policy makers to up scale such successful models, and reform the agricultural sector to address the challenges and ably harness the opportunities. This seminar is expected to provide a platform to the academician, policy makers and scholars to deliberate upon this enormously crucial topic for the agricultural and overall development of India and come up with some guidelines for policy formulation. In the light of the above, studies pertaining to the following sub-themes are of importance. Sub-themes: 1. Mechanization of Indian Agriculture 2. Commercialization of Agriculture 3. Agricultural Marketing 4. Agricultural Credit 5. Agriculture and ICT 6. Agro-processing Technology and Value Addition 7. Diversification of Indian Agriculture 8. Warehousing and Storage Network 9. Procurement of Marketable Surpluses 10. Globalization and Agriculture 11. Institutional Reforms and Sustainable Agriculture 12. Challenges in Agro-based Industries The above are only some of the sub-themes which are only suggestive but not exhaustive. The paper writers can also submit papers on any other sub-themes of their choice related to the main theme of the seminar. Abstract Submission: Abstract must be written in English and in MS word. Abstract of individual paper presenter is to be submitted within the specified date as mentioned below and the following ordering is requested to be followed-Title of the Paper, Name of the Author/Co-author, Designation, Institution, Email ID, Contact Number within 300 – 350 words with maximum 5 (five) Keywords. The abstract is to be submitted to [email protected] Full Paper Submission: Full paper of individual paper presenter is to be submitted within the specified date as mentioned below. The full paper for publication should contain Introduction, Review of Literature, Objectives, Methodology, Discussion, Results/Findings, Policy Implications, Conclusion and References . Manuscript should be 3000 – 3500 words. References should be given at the end of the paper as APA Style. The full paper is to be submitted to [email protected] Registration Fee: Indian Paper Presenters – 1200 INR (including ISBN Seminar Proceedings) Indian Research Scholars – 1000 INR (including ISBN Seminar Proceedings) General Members without Paper – 500 INR (only for Certificate) Mode of Payment of Registration Fee: Registration Fee can be deposited only to the Bank Account directly in this way, Editor, Chinaky–ARJHSS, Gossaigaon College, A/C No. 33853238701, SBI, Gossaigaon Branch, IFS Code: SBIN0007996. In such a case the copy of bank slip should be sent along with the Registration Form. Accommodation: Accommodation could be arranged to the paper presenters on request in Hotels at Gossaigaon but they will have to bear the expenses. The Hotel rents are affordable. Alternatively, they can arrange their accommodation directly. No TA/DA will be provided to the participants except the invited resource persons.

Nearest Railway Stations: The nearest Railway station suggested are New , Kokrajhar, New Coochbihar and New which are well connected with most of the cities and towns in India by trains. Those who want to reach Gossaigaon by train can also avail of Brahamputra Mail, Kanchan Junga Express, Jaja Express, Lumding Intercity, Kamakhya-New Coochbihar Intercity, Dekargaon(Tezpur)-NJP Intercity and Sifung Passenger which have stoppage at Gossaigaon Hat station. Nearest Bus Stations: The nearest Bus station is Gossaigaon, in the heart of Gossaigaon town from which buses both private and government run to different parts of Assam and like , Barpetaroad, Bongaigaon, Kokrajhar, Coochbihar, Alipurduar, Barovisha, etc. Important Dates Seminar Date : 5th & 6th November, 2016 Abstract Submission : 20 th August to 11th September, 2016 Confirmation of Acceptance of Abstract : 12 th September, 2016 (after 5.00 pm) Full Paper Submission : 12 th September – 4th October, 2016 Payment of Registration Fee : 12 th September – 4th October, 2016

Registration Form will send the individual paper presenter with acceptance letter of Abstract. In case of joint papers the maximum number of authors should be 2 (two). No registration will be entertained after 4 th October, 2016. However, spot registration will be available for the general members without paper on the 1st Day of the Seminar (5th Nov., 2016) on payment of a registration fee of Rs. 500 (only for Certificate). Publications: Papers will be selected through peer reviewing process and will be considered for Seminar Proceedings with ISBN: 978-93-5174-316-5 in English by a leading publisher in Guwahati/New Delhi. Full Paper without Registration Fee will not be accepted and not be printed in the Book. So, don’t miss to send your Full Paper with Registration Fee within the specified date as mentioned below. Seminar Proceedings with ISBN: 978-93-5174-316-5 will be distributed on the first day of the Seminar.

Submission Guidelines Abstract Full Paper Title Page: Title, Author/s, Institute, Email Title Page: Title, Author/s, Institute, Email ID, Contact No., Keywords ID, Contact No. Length: 300 – 350 words Length: 3000 – 3500 words Line Spacing: 1.5 Line Spacing: 1.5 Font: Times New Roman Font: Times New Roman Font Size: Heading 14, Text 12 Font Size: Heading 14, Text 12 Margins: 1.5 inch on all the four sides Margins: 1.5 inch on all the four sides NA Reference: APA Style SubmissionID :[email protected] SubmissionID :[email protected] Contact Details: Dr. Dinesh Das, MA, B.Ed., M.Phil., Ph.D. Convener (+91 9435326099 & +91 8472818272) National Seminar Organizing Committee Department of Economics, Gossaigaon College Gossaigaon – 783360, Kokrajhar, Assam, INDIA Log on: www.gossaigaoncollege.org Our Distinguished Resource Persons 1. Dr. Sunil Kumar Paul Chief Scientist, RARS Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat 2. Dr. Arup Pramanik Department of Economics College of Commerce, Siliguri University of North Bengal, West Bengal 3. Dr. Panchali Sengupta Department of Economics St. Joseph’s College, Darjeeling University of North Bengal, West Bengal 4. Dr. Popiha Bordoloi SMS, Krishi Vigyan Kendra Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Umiam, Meghalaya

(NB: More Resource Persons will be included in due course of time)

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