In this comprehensive talk on sustainable agriculture in India published on Igniting Minds- Ustream, G V Ramanjaneyulu, of Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, speaks on the problems faced by Indian farmers and the possible answers to attain sustainability in agriculture. He compares the trends followed in the United States of America to those in India and concludes that the technology required here is the one that suits our inherent economical and ecological needs. With the present sops and subsidies provided by the government, he feels that today’s farmers are losing their rights on the land , which unfortunately are turning more into shares in a company.
He paints a grim picture when he says that though about 65 % of the population is engaged in agriculture, its share in the national budget today has reduced to a mere 2.6 %. He discusses the subsidy rolled out by the government , how it benefits the industry more than the farmer community, how it is associated with a generic product and if any farmer wishes to use any other alternative technology or product, this support is unavailable.
He cites numerous roadblocks faced by the farmers , the uncertainty due to price variations for the same crop from year to year, unavailability of support for any alternative crop/technology, the lacunas in the present system of subsidy, and also displacement of farmers from their land. The key to resolve this basic issue lies in restructing ones thinking . The government must provide effective subsidies, effective regulations and effective support. This would be a win win situation benefitting farmers and consumers both, feels G V Ramanjaneyulu .
He also speaks on genetically modified (GM) crops, on their high productivity, how they affect soil fertility, their productivity decline after the second crop as well the need for further long term testing required. Contamination issues are addressed, along with the safety norms to be developed for furtherance of GM crops cultivation. In the end he summarises by providing simple solutions for attaining sustainable agriculture.
He reiterates that the gap between the farmers input and the output, in monetary terms must be borne by the government, if we want to stop the farmer’s further destruction. No advanced technology or complex machines can make up for the farmers loss. Each of us, even if we live in urban areas, eventually depend on the farmers for the food on our table and are affected in the long run by what happens to them!
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