Pawar changes stand on food Bill,now says it can check malnutrition
He had earlier opposed it saying farmers would be adversely affected
Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said here Monday his opinion on the food security Bill stood changed following the realisation that it has the potential to tackle the malnutrition problem that affects 74 per cent of children in India.
“I had recently attended a Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) meeting where a report said over 74 per cent of Indian children face malnutrition problem. I was one of those who had expressed reservations against the food Bill. Now,I think if we can provide wheat and rice to this population at nominal rates,they will be left with enough money to buy other nourishing food material that they now can’t afford. So,we have now supported the Bill,” Pawar told mediapersons after completing his tour of rain-hit parts of west Vidarbha.
Pawar had been on record opposing the Bill,saying it would adversely affect the farmers. His turnaround on the politically sensitive issue has come a few months ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
He,however,continues to support the cause of genetically modified crops,saying the clampdown on research and trials of GM crops has generated an atmosphere of nervousness among the scientific community in the country. “It is necessary to meet food requirements and the opposition to it is from foreign quarters that actually promote it in their countries,” he reiterated.
Pawar added: “We have decided to remove all restrictions on import and export of agricultural commodities to create a level-playing field. “You can’t tell the world you will only export and not allow import,” he said,adding: “India today is the biggest exporter of rice and the second biggest exporter of wheat,cotton and sugar.”
Pawar reiterated that the Centre would provide all possible help to the rain-hit people of Vidarbha after due scrutiny. He said the current aid sought was for the damage to crop and property as well as human and cattle casualty. I feel separate aid is needed to rebuild infrastructure like roads,culverts,bridges,schools,etc.
He said a separate programme would have to be undertaken to replenish the top soil that was washed away in a big way due to unprecedented rains. “For that,we need to undertake de-silting of reservoirs and use that extracted soil to replenish the farmlands. For that,in turn,we will have to wait till water levels in the reservoirs go down. It will need patience,” Pawar said.
About monsoon predictions,Pawar said: “We have been able to predict it fairly well of late and many predictions are coming true. We have what is known as Monsoon Mission that will accurately predict changes in climate and atmosphere for the benefit of farmers. It’s not yet complete and the final picture is yet to emerge.”
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