Challenges and opportunities of agri-business as an option for enhanced household income and employment in Rajasthan

The diversified crop mix with commercial orientation and livestock composition with stable milk and meat supply are the major strengths of agriculture sector in Rajasthan for promoting agribusiness. The large increase in the number of male and female marginal workers with sub-optimal workdays is indicative of the need to develop agro-processing value-addition and other agro-based activities in the state. The low level of household income of farm families, specially for small and marginal classes warrants the need to diversify the sources of income of rural households. The large share of exportable as well as processable agricultural commodities in the crop mix of the state as well as traditional agro-processing activities of pulses, oilseeds, etc. will have to be further strengthened with business orientation. The increasing demand for agricultural inputs like farm machines, seeds, fertilizers, agro-chemicals, etc. has opened up avenues for more employment in the state. The newly emerging areas such as hi-tech horticulture, organic farming, and contract farming in selected areas are also expected to support and promote agri-business activities in the state. Scientific planning with policy support, by taking into account the strength, weakness, opportunities and threats of crucial components like human and land resources, infrastructure, crops and livestock activities as well as institutional set up for research and extension would lead to project the state of Rajasthan as one of the major players in the agri-business sector of the country.