The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : “Agro-industrial policies should be more sensitive to local needs”

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Sunday, Jul 29, 2007
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“Agro-industrial policies should be more sensitive to local needs”

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Technological development and State agro-industrial policies have to be more sensitive to local needs in order to facilitate inclusive and accelerated rural economic development, according to a consensus reached by a colloquium of State policymakers, agricultural scientists, members of the industry and non-governmental organisations at the conclusion of a three-day national consultation here on Saturday.

“Technology can sometimes do more harm than good,” said M.S. Swaminathan, chairman, National Commission of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Security, and chairman, M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF). “It is very important to be aware of social realities and to develop partnerships that are mutually beneficial. Otherwise, orphans will remain orphans.”

Central to the recommendations generated by the colloquium is a “disaggregated approach” to technological development that would take into account the interests of marginal farmers.

For instance, the consultation suggests that the National Cotton Institute work on Bt cotton varieties rather than just hybrids, given the high expenses and risks involved in the cultivation of hybrid varieties — risks that small farmers cannot afford.

The “weakest link” in the existing paradigm for technological development is the absence of a space in the public policy discourse that incorporates feedback from development agencies on the ground, said V. Vishwanath Sadamate, Advisor (agriculture), Planning Commission. For more effective rural development, there was a need to move away from the “top-down” approach that often determined the direction of agro-industrial policy.

A “synergy” between science and policy and a restructuring of the pedagogic methodologies were essential to create inclusive rural development, Dr. Swaminathan said.

This would include a greater awareness of the specificities of the local needs, as opposed to generalised policies that could often do more harm than good.

“While banks may open more branches in villages, they are still siphoning off money. For instance, in drought-affected areas, one year is too short a time for people to repay their loans. It should at least be four or five years,” he said.

The biggest barriers that prevent inclusive rural development are a “technology fatigue” and a knowledge deficit, according to the 11 Plan (2007-12) of the Planning Commission. The national consultation was convened to suggest possible solutions, drawing from the experience of a diverse group of professionals.

The proposals generated by the colloquium will be conveyed to policymakers in New Delhi through meetings “in small capsules,” said Sudha Nair, program director, MSSRF.

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