Rethink Policy...🤔

  Agriculture is the basis of livelihood from the time we developed and mastered the most necessary art. Since independence, this particular occupation not only served as the backbone of the Indian Economy but became our prime identity. Indians must be glad as they are occupying and cultivating the most fertile land on the planet. Up to the early 60’s we were engaged in routine cultivation practices but from the middle half of the 60s, the Green Revolution began its role and transformed Indian Agriculture. It was indeed necessary to satisfy millions and also for the socio-economical upliftment of the farmers. Slowly we started deciphering the script of Green Revolution but never acknowledged when we went script-less. The modernization in terms of Crop-Yield improvement, Soil-Yield improvement, Technological advancements witnessed the exploitation of the mother earth and is continuing. There was a time when we used to feel pride in having hundreds of acres of land but this pride started losing its importance from the time we started writing a book named “Development” and entered into the world of “Globalization”. The percent contribution to GDP fell from 40% (1960) to 14% (2019), so we can say - Globalization strengthened the economy by dominating and marginalizing Indian Agriculture. 

Today, we have achieved the required quantity to satisfy 1.33 billion and we are running surplus in many agricultural commodities. Now it is the time we should start writing a new script, the script of Quality Revolution. This new script will fulfill all the parameters of safeguarding the environment, identifying market trends, and its relation to consumers' behavior, thus pushing policy formation as required. So it should start with the soil, as we know the soil is immortal, it is the source and end of every form of life but that doesn't mean it does not require restoration. We should be concentrating on restoring fertility leading to Quality production - less toxic, more nutritious. We should concentrate less on the foundation-principles of the Green revolution and must focus on minimizing the usage of inorganic fertilizers, pesticides, and weedicides. Certain Genetic Modifications are also leading to pest resurgence and imbalance in environmental harmony so our efforts must be inclined in a direction that will create a happier and safer environment. It is simple to write and share my thoughts by sitting on a chair but the farmers only know their pain. 

So what do we need?. Reforms, in our policies, in our mindsets that will restore their status both socially and economically. Here I have a good insight into how we can implement changes. So this occupation of farming needs to be converted into a job activity where the farmer will get his definite income at the end of the season and all assets will be provided by the government, just like a job. So how to start?. As I already mentioned we are running surplus in many commodities which is ultimately leading to stockage and wastage. Stockage by the middlemen and traders, those who seek to earn more depending upon the demand of the market, at the same time if demand remains less in the near future then this creates tons of wastage oppressing poor buyers and producers. In this case, we can take help of our statisticians and experts in the field and those will make us aware of per capita demand for next financial year, broadly they will give us estimates of the expected need of the country for next financial year i.e how much million tons of cereals, pulses, etc. will be required. Thus we can concentrate more on quality export at the same time we will be sufficient enough in fulfilling our countries hunger. So how will this module work? As I mentioned it will be a job factor and every grower will get his definite income. We know environmental and soil conditions favor greatly in production and thus we prefer Nagpur’s Oranges, Nasik’s Grapes, Ratnagiri’s Hapoos (mango); we will search southern markets for quality rice, MP’s & UP’s markets for wheat, Kashmir’s Apple and many such, So the efforts can be made to identify the specialties of each region thereby asking the farmers of that particular region to cultivate only those commodities. For those, the government will assign specialists (having expertise in agricultural education) who will be guiding them. At the same time, the government will sign the contract with the landowners which will include guaranteed buying by government agencies and a fixed price for their produce. The government will only provide all the assets including seed, fertilizers, pesticides, tractor facilities, and other technological aid. Government experts will determine expected produce per hectare and the farmers have to meet that mark to get his assured income. If he produces more than expected then he will receive additional price but if he fails then he will have to pay back. This payback will be in terms of the produce of next season to compensate for his loss and will not affect his assured income. And if the losses will be due to natural calamities or any such factor for which he cannot be held responsible then this rule of compensation will not be in play. Also, the landlords who are not interested in cultivation can lend their land to the government with a fixed rental value so that the government can appoint interested farmers from other parts (especially those who are not having land or having marginal land). 

For all this, I feel there must be an independent body that will monitor the implementation of this policy so that it will be unbiased and will not allow the government to fulfill its interest. Thus with this approach, we can reshape our agriculture so that it continues to be the backbone of our country. And this will maintain a happier and safer place by engaging more and more manpower, which is our true wealth. 

       🤔🤔🤔....!

    #_TS✍