In 2007-08, India produced 219.3 million tonnes of food grains; 27 tonnes of oil seed; 370 million tonnes of sugarcane; 23 million tonnes of cotton and 11 million tonnes of jute.
India is the largest producer of milk, cashew nuts, coconuts, tea, ginger, turmeric and black pepper in the world.
Yet India’s share in the world agri-business market is very less and this could be attributed to lack of competitiveness in terms of quality and cost and that is again attributed to lack of quality professionals.
If Indian agriculture and food sectors have to become competitive in the International markets, these sectors need large number of trained techno-managerial manpower.
In this context Food and Agri Business Schools are gaining importance.
The SVVR Educational Society, promoted by Sagar cements, has started a Food and Agri-Business School (FABS) to fill this gap, on 45-acres near Chevella. This first private sector Agri B-school in the country was inaugurated by Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.
Its flagship programme will be the two-year, fully residential post graduate diploma in agri business management (PGDM – Agribusiness).
“The uniquely designed programme will provide sound grounding in basic management courses, strong inputs in agri business sector, and three specialisation streams – International Agriculture, Agri Business Marketing, and Agri Business Finance,” says Dr. K. Pratap Reddy, former Director, IRMA.
Recognised course
The course is recognised by AICTE and admission is limited to graduates with 50 per cent marks or equivalent OGPA in agriculture and allied subjects including bio-technology and microbiology.
The first batch will have a strength of 60. Its classes will commence in July 2009, according to B. Guruva Reddy vice-president and N.R.N. Reddy, member of SVVR Educational Society. Details can be had on ‘ www.svvr.org.’
