The Indian agriculture sector is 'seriously' threatened by climate change and population growth, necessitating increased output, according to ITC chairperson and MD Sanjiv Puri. Having said that, ITC implemented a multi-pronged strategy to address the challenges faced by the Indian agriculture sector.
ITC believes that a strategic focus on value-added crops, its farmer advisory app ITC MAARS, and climate-smart agriculture will propel new vectors to sustain growth and profitability in this sector. ITC's agri-business, in particular, sources over 40 lakh tonnes of agri-commodities from 22 Indian states and 20 agri-value chains. It also exports to over 95 countries worldwide.
Puri emphasized in an annual general meeting held on Wednesday morning that agriculture productivity and incomes are now seriously threatened by climate change and depleting natural resources. The rising population has exacerbated the problem by increasing food demand.
"ITC is dedicated to making a significant contribution to this new era of agricultural transformation," Puri said at the AGM. ITC believes that the current situation necessitates increased production, the development of competitive agri-value chains, crop diversification to value-added products, and the expansion of food processing to meet emerging consumer needs.