Events & Issues

New Delhi, 6 December 2010

Second Green Revolution

NEED EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION

By Dhurjati Mukherjee

There is much talk about the need for a second green revolution as the country will have to increase its agricultural output by more than 340 million tonnes by 2020 in the face of increasing demand by a growing population. Given that the first green revolution was limited to five crops, primarily wheat and was restricted to mainly Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh.

However, studies reveal that the cost-intensive green revolution helped the rich farmers while small and marginal cultivators did not receive the desired benefits and their conditions declined. Keeping this in mind, the Finance Minister had announced a four- pronged strategy, the most important being the extension of the green revolution in the eastern region of the country, namely Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, eastern UP, West Bengal and Orissa. Notwithstanding, Rs 400 crores allocated for the purpose, experts believe that the sum is too meagre to really make a dent in these States which are lagging behind in production and productivity.

Another important declaration was the proposal to organize 60,000 “pulses and oilseed villages” in rain-fed areas during 2010-11 and provide an integrated intervention for water harvesting, watershed management and soil health to enhance the productivity of the dryland areas. Indeed, the Rs 300 crores allocated is significant as the per capita availability of water is declining, thus dryland areas could produce pulses and oilseeds which are in heavy demand.

Shockingly, agriculture is a mere 18% of the Gross Domestic Product. Hence there is an imperative need to improve soil health, water conservation and management. Also vital are climate resilient agriculture, field research and experimentation. Though Rs 200 crores has been allocated much will depend on scientists to ensure implementation of the measures suggested.   

Whether all these proposals would be able to reach the small farmers and make a dent to the agricultural sector remains to be seen. In addition, agricultural research should be field-oriented so as to ensure efficient use of resources, conservation of soil, water and ecology with introduction of newer technologies, bio-fertilizers and bio-genetics for improved plant and horticultural products. Only then can the second green revolution become a reality.

Even the Eleventh Plan emphasized on certain measures for taking agriculture to a higher trajectory of 4% annual growth. But unfortunately schemes like the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund and crop insurance have failed because of lack of initiative from nationalized banks. Specific measures already outlined in the Plan but yet to reach the farmer.

Namely, improved water management, rainwater harvesting and watershed development, reclaiming degraded land for cultivation, effective extension at the grass root level; diversifying into high-value outputs, fruits, flowers, medicinal plants, bio-diesel etc,       providing easy access to credit at affordable rates and improving incentives and markets.

Recall, former President Kalam realized the potential of agriculture and highlighted this at the Global Forum on Agricultural Research in November 2006. Since then several workshops have been held and there is unanimity that the second green revolution must reach the farthest centres of the country. However, as experts point out it should ensure inclusion of small and marginal farmers whose numbers continue to grow.

Other aspects like agri-marketing, research, development and technology transfer, irrigation and water planning, food processing and diversification of agricultural products need to be given attention also. The problems of small and marginal farmers, who constitute the major segment of the farming community need to be supported .

Additionally, agro- processing centres in rural areas are vital as this would result in the minimization of post-production losses and availability of value-added products for consumers at an affordable price. If necessary, private sector participation should be ensured as they have played a significant role as developers of new crop varieties, specially hybrids, and providers of high quality seeds.

Importantly, agricultural development is possible by undertaking measures like: new and innovative technology for enhancing production; new technology for resource conservation; encouraging farmers’ cooperatives as is being done in Gujarat and Maharashtra; skill training and entrepreneurship development; value-addition of agricultural products and good marketing network, including development of future market.

Already, the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) has overd 200 experiential learning units at 43 agricultural universities in different parts of the country to impart requisite training. But more sincere efforts and networking are needed.

The second green revolution should also possible in rain-fed areas so as to improve the income levels of distressed farmers. The main challenges obviously lie in reaching new technologies to small and marginal farmers, providing them necessary credit and improving their incomes through better infrastructure and marketing strategies.

In such a scenario, positive steps are needed at this juncture. The first is to strengthen existing Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and setting up Kendras in all blocks of the country to reach all sections of farmers. For boosting production, facilitating adoption of improved knowledge on production, value addition and marketing and extending all types of help.

The crucial thing that remains to be ensured is that returns from agriculture have to be monitored so that the farmers are not put in a precarious situation of mounting debts leading them to suicide. Even in Punjab, where the average farm size is 3.8 acres which in 2.5 times more average size, farmers income is far less than the starting salary of a Government Class IV employee.

Questionably, how will farmers continue to be involved in cereal production with dwindling incomes, more so with rising fertilizer and electricity rates? There is thus an imperative need to substantially enhance the minimum support price for various crops. The higher rates would ensure better returns for farmers.

In sum, India can emerge as an agricultural power in the not-too-distant future if a better strategy is implemented. There is an urgent need to overhaul socio-economic and farm policies more so, with the implementation of the Food Security Act as also to tackle rural poverty.

The face of rural India has to be transformed keeping in view the need to improve the living conditions of the masses. As eminent economist Rangarajan, in 1982, “a mere one per cent increase in agricultural output led to a 0.7 increase in national income and benefited the small farming community. ----- INFA

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