Gandhi ji had said that true India lives in villages. 80 per cent of our population lives in rural India. The simple inference is that development of India actually means development of her villages and raising the standard of the people in villages. Living in villages means remaining connected with agricultural activities which are the mainstay of our economy. When we speak of agricultural activity, a number of related activities have to be taken into consideration.
Former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, speaking at a symposium organized by Ayurvet Ltd., has given in concise words a scientist’s approach to activities connected with development and upgrading of various branches of agricultural sector in the country. Economists believe that development of agricultural production, both quality and quantity wise is crucial to reducing world poverty to one half. No other sector has as much potential as agriculture has. But then comes in the question of how can we improve and increase our agricultural products.
Beginning with the hope that despite deficit monsoons on which Indian farming depends to a large extent, the former President said that 200 million tonnes of food grain has been the average level of annual production in the country but this year, we do not expect it to be beyond 120.27 million tonnes. We shall be able to bridge over the gap but the basic question is that the country has to take into account all measures that are likely to increase the production to meet the needs of the country and also to contribute towards reducing the level of poverty.
Increasing agrarian production means bringing more land under cultivation. But the agrarian land or arable lands are shrinking day after day as population explosion demands more lands to be converted for the use of raising habitats and localities. Therefore, as the former President rightly pointed out, we need to develop wetlands as well as desert lands in order to make them worthy for cultivation for such agricultural products as are possible to be grown there. The second most important factor is livestock area. Despite introduction of mechanized farming system in the country, the fact is that vast rural farming is still done by the plough and the bullock. Soon after independence, President Rajendra Prasad, the first President of independent India, was speaking about mechanized farming. He warned that while we would be shifting to mechanized farming using the tractor, it was necessary to ensure that the tractor did not divest our soil of its essential properties. He had also raised doubts about chemical manure. We are losing bird population at a fast pace and the main reason is the chemical manure we are using. As far as livestock development is concerned, feed and fodder are in scarcity in our country. Green pastures are shrinking and alternative green feed for the cattle is needed. Dairy farming is closely connected with the land, livestock, fodder, green fodder, veterinary intervention, improvement of breed of cows and buffalos with increased milk yielding capability. Research in improving the quality of straw and feed is part of developmental programme and agricultural universities in the country have a vast area of research to bring it under study.
The former President, a scientist of international repute, has given an outline of the areas that will have to be tackled while contemplating spectacular change in our agricultural activities and increasing the production. The fact is that there is enormous scope for research and improvement of quality and quantity of agrarian products including dairy farming, poultry farming, fisheries development, horticulture, floriculture and other connected branches. In the areas of the use of chemical manures, pesticides, preservatives and marketing of agricultural products especially perishable things like vegetables, fruits, flowers etc. much needs to be done. Unfortunately, it is only in India that farmers are committing suicide owing to the fact that they take loans for investment in agrarian activities but the returns are so small and negligible that farmers are not able to pay back bank loans and they put an end to their lives out of frustration. This has to stop once and for all times. The focus has to be on the poorest of poor farmers in the country and to ameliorate their lot.
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