Pro-poor opportunities are rapidly unfolding in South Asia, spurred by new lifestyles and tastes, stimulated by increasing incomes, spreading urbanisation, and expanding globalisation. Dietary patterns are changing of both the poor and the rich, as well as rural and urban consumers, from staple foodgrains to high-value-commodities such as fruits, vegetables, milk, meat, eggs, and fish. The real challenge is how to grab these opportunities to alleviate poverty and improve quality of life, particularly for smallholders. This book, Comprising contributions by experts from various countries, the book provides a range of information, analysis, and the beginnings of pathways to accelerate agricultural diversification and facilitate inclusiveness of small holders through correcting incentives, evolving institutions, and developing infrastructure.

P.K. Joshi is currently the Director, National Centre for Agricultural Economics and Policy Research (NCAP). Prior to this he has been South Asia Coordinator/Research Fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Principal Scientist and Theme Leader (Technology Policy) at NCAP, and Senior Economist at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). He is member of editorial boards and executive committees of several professional societies, and has authored or co-authored seven books and published a number of research articles.

Ashok Gulati is currently Director in Asia, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). Between 2001 and 2006 he was Director, Markets, Trade and Institutions Division at IFPRI. Ashok Gulati has a distinguished record in policy analysis and advice. He has several books and research papers to his credit, and he has also served as a member of the Economic Advisory Council of the Prime Minister of India, member of State Planning Board of Karnataka, etc.

Ralph Cummings, Jr. has served with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), The Rockefeller Foundation, and the Harvard Development Advisory Service as well as faculties of several U.S. universities. He has been U.S. Representative to the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and U.S. Executive Director to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). He has authored, co-authored, or edited six books and numerous published articles.

List of Tables, Figures, Boxes and Appendices

Acronyms

Foreword

Preface

Editors/Contributors

Lalith Achoth
Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, India.

Md. Saleh Ahmed
Post Harvest and Marketing Specialist, Northwest Crop Diversification Project (NCDP), Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Md. Ferdous Alam
Research Coordinator, ICLARM, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Shawki Barghouti
Advisor, Agriculture and Rural Development Department, The World Bank, Washington DC, USA.

Abdul Bayes
Professor of Economics, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Pratap S. Birthal
National Fellow, National Centre for Agricultural Economics and Policy Research, New Delhi, India.

Sumiter Broca
Economist, Global Perspectives Studies Unit, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy.

James C. Cato
Senior Associate Dean and Director, School of Natural Resources and Environment; Director, Florida Sea Grant College Program and Professor, Food and Resource Economics, University of Florida, Florida, USA.

G.K. Chadha
Member, Prime Minister’s Advisory Council, Government of India, New Delhi, India.

P.G. Chengappa
Director of Instruction, College of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, India.

Ralph Cummings, Jr.
formerly with the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

Vijayalakshmi Dega
Associate Professor, Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, India.

Kinlay Dorjee
Economist, Agricultural and Development Economics Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy.

J. George
Visiting Fellow, Research in Information System for the Non-Aligned and Developing Countries (RIS), New Delhi, India.

Ejaz Ghani
Senior Economist, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Ashok Gulati
Director in Asia, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), New Delhi, India.

Brahmanand Hegde
Chief Manager and Sector Head, Agriculture Business Group, ICICI Bank Limited, Mumbai, India.

P.K. Joshi
Director, National Centre for Agricultural Economics and Policy Research, New Delhi, India.

Samuel Kane
Agriculture and Rural Development Department, The World Bank, Washington DC, USA.

D. Kar
Scientific Officer, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Patancheru, India.

Sarath S. Kodithuwakku
Director, Agribusiness Centre, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

Praduman Kumar
Professor, Division of Agricultural Economics, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India.

Rajesh Mehta
Senior Fellow, Research in Information System for the Non-Aligned and Developing Countries (RIS), New Delhi, India.

Mruthyunjaya
Director, National Agricultural Innovative Project, New Delhi, India.

Arpita Mukherjee
Fellow, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), New Delhi, India.

Prabhu Pingali
Director, Agricultural and Development Economics Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy.

Champak Pokharel
Ex-Member, National Planning Commission, Kathmandu, Nepal.

R. Pradeep
Ex-Manager, Agriculture Business Group, ICICI Bank Limited, Chennai, India.

Madeeha G. Qureshi
Economist, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Sarfraz K. Qureshi
Senior Policy Analyst, Centre for Poverty Reduction and Income Distribution, Planning and Development Division, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad, Pakistan.

P. Parthasarathy Rao
Senior Scientist, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Patancheru, India.

P.C. Ravi
Professor and Head, College of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, India.

B.M.R. Reddy
Professor, College of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, India.

Kristina Sorby
Agriculture and Rural Development, Consultant, The World Bank, Washington DC, USA.

M. Saqib
Fellow, Research in Information System for the Non-Aligned and Developing Countries (RIS), New Delhi, India.

Rohit Saran
Deputy Editor, India Today, New Delhi, India.

S. Subasinge
Director, INFOFISH, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Darshana Udayanganie
Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

Jeevika Weerahewa
Senior Lecturer, Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.