New Delhi: Calling for a second green revolution, President A P J Abdul Kalam said
on January 8 at a time when land under cultivation is decreasing and population is
on the rise, doubling the productivity is the only way to feed the millions in the
country.
Inaugurating the second International Congress on Plant Physiology here, the
President favoured an integrated mission mode approach from soil to marketing to
achieve a target of 300 million tonne grain output by 2020 proportionate to the
increase in population.
By 2020, India's arable land is projected to fall to around 100 million hectare from
the present 170 million hectare, yet production will have to be increased from 200
million tonne to 300 million tonne to remain self-sufficient in agriculture
production, he said.
"The second green revolution should envisage integrated programmes taking care of
all aspects of agriculture from soil characteristics, matching seeds, grains,
conversion to food and its marketing after value addition," Kalam said.
Drawing heavily from his inter-action with food experts Norman Borlaugh and C
Subramanian, who were instrumental in spurring the first green revolution of 1960s,
he said time is ripe for the second such revolution.
Kalam dwelt on ways and means of increasing yields when land use is under stress and
there is scarcity of water with an important role for farm scientists to face the
challenge.
Kalam said the challenge is to ensure sustainable plant productivity under changing
environment, proper training of farmers, providing them with upgraded equipment and
enabling adequate amount of water.
The President also favoured organic farming in the wake of adverse climate changes
in the world saying it will be a sound and viable alternative to the current methods
of production.
Referring to Rajasthan, he said sufficient amount of fodder has to be arranged for
the cattle, particularly in the desert region.
Speaking on the occasion, Agriculture Minister Ajit Singh said plant physiology
should adjust to the climatic changes and global warming.
Dairy, poultry, fruits and vegetables are sectors for diversification and should be
looked at as long term options, he said.
Bio-fuels like gasohol are being promoted by the government as eco-friendly ways of
energy use, he added.
PTI
