The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Governor calls for crop diversification

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Tuesday, Nov 10, 2009
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Governor calls for crop diversification

Special Correspondent

Farmers should grow horticultural crops besides foodgrains, he says

‘Grow more vegetables, pulses, oilseeds and fruits’
‘Farmers should get free education, healthcare’

— Photo: K. Murali Kumar

For food security: (From left) Governor H.R. Bhardwaj; agricultural scientist Prem Nath; Minister for Agriculture S.A. Ravindranath; and Minister for Major and Medium Irrigation Basavaraj Bommai, at the inauguration of a conference in Bangalore on Monday.

BANGALORE: Governor H.R. Bhardwaj has urged agricultural scientists to contribute to crop diversification, which will “promote food security and protect national sovereignty”.

Delivering the inaugural address at the International Conference on Horticulture (2009) on Monday, Mr. Bhardwaj said the recent sharp increase in food prices had become a major problem.

The four-day conference will focus on the theme “Horticulture for livelihood security and economic growth”.

It is being organised by the University of Agricultural Sciences, the Dr. Prem Nath Agricultural Science Foundation and the Vegetable Science International Network.

Mr. Bhardwaj said the country’s self-reliance in agriculture should not be confined only to foodgrains but also to dairy, vegetables, pulses, oilseeds and fruits.

“There is no surplus rice anywhere in the world to meet our shortage this year and we have no option but to cover the deficit by diversifying our agricultural production,” he said.

Mr. Bhardwaj said raising Minimum Support Prices (MSP) paid to farmers may provoke “a revolt by consumers”. He suggested that farmers be provided “free education, healthcare and other socials security benefits, which will enable them to contribute more to society.”

Minister for Major and Medium Irrigation Basavaraj Bommai said horticulture is “the second line of defence for farmers”.

He said land irrigated by the State’s canal network, which spans one lakh kilometres, could be used for growing horticultural crops.

Minister for Agriculture S.A. Ravindranath said crop diversification was critical for small and marginal farmers. Horticultural crops, he said, generate a higher biomass per unit of land area when compared to grains.

“They are more efficient and they result in greater value addition,” he added.

Dr. Prem Nath, agricultural scientist, said nearly one-fourth of the world’s hungry and malnourished population is in India.

The shift in the pattern of food consumption, away from grains and towards fruits, vegetables and dairy products, has an important role to play in reducing nutritional deficiency, he said.

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