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Improve farmers’ income, says Swaminathan

Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam

Words of wisdom: Agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan addressing the inaugural of the 68th annual conference of the Indian Society of Agricultural Economics at Andhra University in Visakhapatnam on Friday. —

VISAKHAPATNAM: Eminent agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan has called for change of mindset from agricultural production to farmer’s income and small farm management revolution.

Addressing the inaugural of the 68th annual conference of the Indian Society of Agricultural Economics at Andhra University here on Friday, he said, all along the thrust was on agricultural production. For the first time, the government had introduced in November last a national policy for farmers. “Concentrate on the income of farmers and productivity will take care of itself,” he said. Dr. Swaminathan, who is the father of India’s Green Revolution, also wanted technology to be upgraded in agriculture so as to draw youth into farming. Besides encouraging multiple livelihoods, biomass-based units should be promoted for employment.

On food security and India contributing 30 million to the 70 million hungry people added all over the world last year, he said Madhya Pradesh and Orissa were the worst affected. Lauding the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme, he said its impact on malnourishment would be known by 2011. But rice price at Rs.2 or Re.1 a kg in the PDS was made possible by the commanding height of the government in procuring rice. To combat malnutrition, he suggested mainstreaming of nutrition into horticulture planning at the district-level.

Dr. Swaminathan called for using the Rs.25,000 crores Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna to improve productivity in dry farming. While maintaining production in the heartland, the gains should be extended to the Eastern Indian States managing floods. He congratulated the Chief Minister for launching the Jalayagnam programme.

Tribals have started a food and water security project by having a gene, seed, grain and water banks at Koraput in Orissa, which has a rich biodiversity. A herbal bio valley with medicinal and horticulture plants was being developed with a whole series of micro enterprises under micro credit and watersheds, Dr. Swaminathan said.

Chairman of the AP State Council of Higher Education K.C. Reddy called for skill-intense agriculturally relevant education to provide employment opportunities for rural youth.

President of ISAE S.S. Johl said the conference would focus on quality horticulture production, overexploitation of the water table and problem areas in rain-fed farming.

Director-General of Indian Council of Agriculture Research Mangala Rai expressed concern over more than 50 per cent of people dependent on farming having to share 17 per cent of the growth. Chairman of International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, Nepal, in his presidential speech, dwelt on the ‘missing mountain perspective.’

Andhra University Vice-Chancellor B. Satyanarayana welcomed. Local Organising Secretary L.K. Mohana Rao participated.

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