To become an innovation superpower, there needs to be a pedagogical revolution, M.S. Swaminathan, chairman, M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, has said.
This will involve a shift from ‘bricks to brains,' a switchover to inquisitive learning and learning by doing, he said. Innovation is important for a knowledge society. All children are not given opportunities for development to complete potential of their physical and mental capacities. One of the reasons for this is malnutrition. Maternal and foetal nutrition requires a lot of attention, Dr. Swaminathan said. The problem of malnutrition would have to be resolved in a cost-effective way.
Dr. Swaminathan was speaking at the seminar on ‘Agricultural and Environmental Concerns – the role of Education' organised by Knowledge Xchange in Chennai on Friday. “We need to come to grips with both issues – agriculture and environment. Ultimately, education is the only way by which we can enrich our understanding of the problems in both these sectors,” he said.
Introducing the concept of the Evergreen Revolution, he said using new technology to drive productivity is likely to have some harmful effects, so it is important to measure the risks and benefits before they are harnessed in agriculture.
P.M. Bhargava, former vice-chairman, National Knowledge Commission, said some of the key problems in agriculture are inadequate availability of quality seeds, insufficient emphasis on organic agriculture, water and power shortages, slow disappearance of traditional agricultural practices, fair marketing of products, neglect of rural health and medicine, effect of climate change, and the unharnessed potential of marine biotechnology. Deforestation and contamination of water and land resources are some of the main concerns in the environment sector.
Raising the question as to what education could do, he said it was necessary to define good education as something that would incorporate all the above concerns, beginning at a young age.
The situation must change wherein education, environment and agriculture are moved out of their de facto low priority segments to higher priority areas.
Casimir Raj, patron, Knowledge Xchange, said sustainability has become a casualty of unleashing consumerism. Exploitation of Nature must cease, he said. He also called for a second Green and White Revolutions.
V.A. George, chairman, Knowledge Xchange, said the role of education is to build students with empathy. Anuradha Parakkat and Joe Arun, members, Knowledge Xchange, spoke.
