Identification of efficient/ appropriate fodder crops and trees for different AESRs in AP

Abstract

The mandate for the Commission on “Inclusive and Sustainable Agricultural Development of Andhra Pradesh” constituted by the Government of Andhra Pradesh covered in totality all the major issues of agricultural development in the State including the well-being of the farming community. Although the agriculture sector has witnessed accelerated growth driven by agricultural diversification and crop shifts in favour of high value crops, it faces challenges in terms of sustainability and eliminating widespread distress among the farming community. The sustainability question arises because technological progress has levelled off, investment in agriculture has slowed down and the scope for the expansion of net sown area is limited. The problems of soil degradation, water use inefficiency and excessive use of chemical inputs substantiate this view. Agriculture has become less profitable due to increasing costs of production which are not compensated adequately by the prices received by the farmers. The farming community has become vulnerable to production shocks, low and fluctuating farm prices, and increasing expenditure on health and education. The rainfall pattern has become more erratic and has increased production risks. These factors have pushed the small and marginal farmers into a debt trap. The stagnation of livelihoods, growing debt burden, low market margins and frequent occurrence of natural calamities have resulted in prolonged distress among the small and marginal farmers. Due to various structural barriers, the small and tenant farmers have not been able to participate in and gain from the modern supply chains, including value addition opportunities. These issues have been addressed by the Commission