Farming ethics questioned

February 16: Emphasising the importance of examining India's priorities in area of agriculture, Shashi Mishra, member secretary of the Mahar...

February 16: Emphasising the importance of examining India8217;s priorities in area of agriculture, Shashi Mishra, member secretary of the Maharashtra Council of Agricultural Research MCAR, today called for an attitudinal change in the present trends towards making the most of cash crops instead of concentrating on the country8217;s strength in the cultivation of food grains.

She was speaking at the inauguration of short term training programme organised by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Centre of Advanced Studies in Agricultural Meteorology and College of Agriculture here.

Amazed at the fact that the pattern of cultivation was gradually shifting towards exotic crops such as tulips with little thought for the security, Mishra was seriously concerned by increasing dependence on the export front.

8220;Are we developing the land or exploiting it?8221; she asked pointing out that since the wheat lobby in the country was very strong, subsidised wheat was being diverted tourban areas in the form of bread instead of benefiting the poor.

Presently, a strong atmosphere prevails on the use of chemicals in cultivation of crop, she said, stressing these ethical issues need to be properly addressed against the backdrop of the GATT and Dunkel agreement.

Vice chancellor of Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth Dr YS Nerkar in his presidential address, predicted a total productivity requirement of 2000 kg/ hectare in the year 2020 AD as against the present production of 770 kgs/hectare. He explained that although we should be able to attain wheat yields of upto 200 quintals per hectare, the national average was a miserable 22 quintals per hectare. As against this, America has managed to touch 120 quintals per hectare while Punjab has touched 55 quintals per hectare, he pointed out. According to Dr Nerkar, work has already begun on cultivation of crop in controlled conditions at Ganeshkhind. He also underlined the need for improved facilities for short term forecast to aid thefarmers.

Dr SS Magar, dean of the agriculture faculty in his speech revealed that a national policy had been formulated for the uniformity in the syllabus which was presently outdated.