The President, Trinetra

M. W. Shirbhate, B. Com, DIH

Agriculture in India has a significant history. Today, India ranks second world wide in farm output. Agriculture represents a core part of the Indian economy and provides food and livelihood activities to much of the Indian population. However, in order to keep pace with the increasing population, the growth in agricultural production should be sustainable in the long run. The economic contribution of agriculture in India is steadily declining with the country’s broad – based economic growth. Still, agriculture is demographically the broadest economic sector and plays a significant role in the overall socio – economic fabric in India. Uncertainty of weather and pose a major threat to food security of the country, agro meteorologists have tough challenges ahead in understanding the impact of weather and climate on growth and yield of crops. Exciting opportunities exist today to help the agricultural community through agro meteorological services. We at Trinetra feel that more concerted efforts are essential to realize the present day needs of the farmers by the agricultural community of the country and also meet the demands of the poorer section of the country. In spite of advances made in weather forecasting and operational agro met advisory services to the users, the real value in terms of offering right advice at right time to the farmers is somewhat lacking. 

India's agriculture is composed of many crops, with the foremost food staples being rice and wheat. Indian farmers also grow pulses, potatoes, sugarcane, oilseeds, and such non-food items as cotton, tea, coffee, rubber, and jute (a glossy fiber used to make burlap and twine). Despite the overwhelming size of the agricultural sector, however, yields per hectare of crops in India are generally low compared to international standards. Improper water management is another problem affecting India's agriculture. At a time of increasing water shortages and environmental crises, for example, the rice crop in India is allocated disproportionately high amounts of water. One result of the inefficient use of water is that water tables in regions of rice cultivation, such as Punjab, are on the rise, while soil fertility is on the decline. Aggravating the agricultural situation is an ongoing Asian drought and inclement weather. Despite the fact that agriculture accounts for as much as a quarter of the Indian economy and employs an estimated 60 percent of the labor force, it is considered highly inefficient, wasteful, and incapable of solving the hunger and malnutrition problems. Despite progress in this area, these problems have continued to frustrate India for decades. It is estimated that as much as one-fifth of the total agricultural output is lost due to inefficiencies in harvesting, transport, and storage of government-subsidized crops.

We started new Mission for awaiting the mass people who do not have access to and control over their resources, say adopting Income Generating Activities to attract self employment among rural educated poorer youth and farmer community, generating awareness about agriculture. We express separately about the programs in our annual reports every year, which are available for all at our offices, who are interested for reading and knowing about our journey, we always welcome them with sincerity. We are also conducted a series of Rural Entrepreneurship Development Program, Farmer’s training and exposure etc. Beyond that the regular program along with new schemes which is under the processing and waiting for sanctioning approval from the concerned authority.

After successful completion of its glorious journey since a couple of years, Trinetra has been able to provide good performance. For the very infancy stage, followed by slow growth to unparallel and unmatched scaling up, the organization has been striving hard within its limited resources, taking up on challenge after another, aiming to make rural society a better place to live in. However it puts the credit of success to all stakeholders without whose support and co – operation it would not march towards progress.

This is also an occasion to acknowledge the contribution of our Trustees and Advisors who have been always helpful in our efforts in Rural Development. Also, the real credit for our achievements during the reporting year should go to our village partners and our dedicated staff members, who have been sticking with us for a long period despite strong attractions elsewhere.