Dr Kang pointed out that the demand for food is growing rapidly due to the burgeoning population and rising income of people. He estimated that nearly 280 million tonnes of food grain will be needed to feed around 1300 million people by the year 2025. He further added that inefficient marketing in emerging nations is a result of improper and inadequate market infrastructure.

He also drew attention to the huge post-harvest losses in perishables, to the tune of about 10 per cent of production worth over 20 million tonnes a year in India.

This is roughly the quantity of food grain that Australia produces annually, Dr Kang said. He suggested the amendment of APMC Act and said direct marketing and contract farming needs to be encouraged for the sake of efficiency in agricultural marketing.

Dr R Radhakrishana, president of the Indian Society of Agricultural Marketing, said agriculture has to play a major role in national building. He added that scientists should have a deep commitment for social concerns.