Agriculture and Food Security: Theoretical and Practical Aspects of Coordination in Relation to Agricultural Administration

Lalthansanga, C

Abstract

Agriculture and food security are an inextricable phenomena intertwined by nature. The goal of attaining food security is directly and naturally linked with the agriculture and allied sector of the economy. Agricultural administration is a significant factor that determines the food productivity system. It is the vehicle that transport and supply various requirements of farmers at the right time and the right place. The administration of Agriculture and Allied sector is spearheaded by line departments under respective central and state governments. Administration carried out by these line departments have to be coordinated towards the overall objective of attaining food security. Coordination between agriculture and allied departments is essential as it has direct and indirect bearing on food security, qualitatively as well as quantitatively. The significance of coordinating agricultural inputs in relation to coordination of various agencies and departments involved cannot be over-estimated.

The paper attempts to throw light on the significance of coordination among functionaries of Agriculture and Allied departments. The first section deals with theoretical aspects of coordination. The second section of the paper is based on the findings from empirical study of coordination among functionaries of agriculture and allied departments. A case study is carried out by the author on one rural development block in the State of Mizoram, India. Mizoram is the 23^rd State of the Indian Union sharing international boundary with Bangladesh and Myanmar. It is one of the few States in India in which food security is yet to be achieved. The paper endeavours to stimulate interests towards coordination in agricultural administration by inviting discussions and suggestions of better practices and experiences from other parts of the world.

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