Transforming Rural India

Through Agricultural

Innovation12th February 2020

Bhopal, India

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“Agriculture in Africa and South Asia faces an innovation paradox. While the economic returns to and

growth effects of R&D and knowledge diffusion are documented to be very high, research spending is

decreasing in critical areas of the world and local universities and think tanks are not keeping up. Policy

makers in developing countries need to give careful attention to reversing these trends and improving the

broader enabling environment to encourage private sector contribution as well,”

- World Bank Chief Economist William Maloney

Industry 4.0 is here, but Industry 1.0 hasn’t gone away

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0.320.340.360.380.4

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2

Co

st

/ C

om

ple

xit

y

Impact

Aquaponics

BSF

Water harvesting

Vermicompost

Cocopeat

GIS / Drone

ICT improvements

Agricultural Innovation in Developing Countries

The ONLY way to increase

agricultural productivity is to

adopt simple, inexpensive,

and impactful technologies

and best practices by

farmers

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Challenges facing Small Holder Farmers (SHFs)

SHFs, about 80% of Indian farmers, face a cycle of low investment, poor productivity, low value addition, and weak margins. Total post-harvest losses alone are estimated at ₹92,600 crore. Without intervention, climate change is expected to increase these losses.

Source: Associated Chambers of Commerce of India

6 UN SDGs ADDRESSED: 1. NO POVERTY, 2. ZERO HUNGER, 3. GOOD HEALTH AND WELL BEING, 8. DECENT WORK AND

ECONOMIC GROWTH, 11. SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES, 12. RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION

The Problem Required Initiatives The Outcome

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An overview of Aquaponics

What is

Aquaponics?

Aquaponics is an organic system of aquaculture in which the waste

produced by fish or other aquatic animals supplies nutrients for plants

grown hydroponically, which in turn purify the water.

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3-Step

Process

1

3

2

The Benefits

Chemical-free

95% reduction in water usage 50% reduction in crop cycles

12 month growing seasonimprovement in average yield15x

Organic Year-round availability Increased shelf-lifeGreater variety

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Aquaponics has multiple competitive advantages (1/2)

Component Soil Hydroponics Aquaponics

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1

2

3

5

4

Land

Water Consumption

Unit Cost of Production

Sustainable Production

1 Acre

Discharge Into Ground

High

Soil Degradation Chemical Runoff

1 Acre

70% Recirculated25% Chemical Runoff

Low

Chemical Runoff

1 Acre

95% Recirculated5% Plant Uptake

Lowest

No Chemical Runoff100% Recirculation

Annual Yield 8-15 tonnes 75+ tonnes 75+ tonnes

Comparison of Alternative Growing Methods

Aquaponics can provide over 100% higher yield per acre than typical

soil-based agriculture systems

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Aquaponics has multiple competitive advantages (2/2)

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8

9

6

10Cycle

Crop SelectionSingle-Crop Single-Crop Multi-Crop

Relative Labor Use High Low Low

GMO/Hormone/Pesticide Free

Organic Production +Chemical Free

No

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

Natural Fertilizer Production

No No Yes

Component Soil Hydroponics Aquaponics

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Comparison of Alternative Growing Methods

The aquaponic process necessitates use of all-natural inputs, with no fertilizer/chemical use

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Five Key Regional Benefits from Aquaponics Technology

Enables farmers to gain access to

cutting edge technology

Creates Scalable Export

Opportunities

Improves resource

productivity of land

Improves Overall Health Status of

Population

DiversifiesGDP

Aquaponics Has Far Reaching Benefits

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An overview of black soldier fly (BSF) cultivation

A simple concept in which unwanted organic waste can be used a source of food for larvae, which in turn become feedstock for chickens and fish

Source: University of York

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BSF cultivation can reduce costs and/or provide a new income

stream for rural communities

Outputs

Costs

Impact

Small-Scale

• Used on-site

• Low cost for farmer

• Cost avoidance

Distributed

• Sold to processor

• Low cost for farmer

• Additional costs incurred by

processor

• Revenue diversification

• Further value-addition by processor

This will help secure self supporting livelihoods and entrepreneurship, while also ensuring a efficient use of the nations resources.

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How can TVET help?

Rural-urban

linkage

Facilities / Infrastructure

Farmer

Producer

Organizations

Certification / Standards

Content

Training / Up-skilling

Improving Market

Access

Productivity

Improvement

Resource conservation

TVET can be the most impactful channel to address stagnating productivity and increased poverty in the agricultural sector

Required Initiatives Benefits Realized

THANK YOU

#57, Nagarjuna hills, Punjagutta,

Hyderabad, Hyderabad, Telangana 500082

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