Put agriculture on concurrent list

Chairman of the Govigyan Bharati Kantisen Shroff briefing reporters on the seminar here on Monday said that as per the directives of the Constitution, especially its clause 48, Agriculture and Animal husbandry should be organised on scientific lines. 8220;It is also necessary to enact a Central law for protection of cows and their progeny, ban the export of meat and cattle feed from our country,8221; he said.

He said that the experts also recommended to the government to reduce the subsidy on chemical fertilisers and to promote compost manure and ban small distance goods transport by tractors. 8220;Improved bullock carts should be introduced, harness and yokes liberal finances with differential rate of interest may be provided,8221; Shroff said, stressing that the media should take up the responsibility of propagating alternative energy generation systems and their uses.

According to Shroff, the corporate sector should take up the responsibility of research and development of home appliances, agricultural tools and implements and village industry machinery run on human, cattle, solar, wind and biogas energies.

Addressing reporters, secretary of the organisation, Narendra Dube said that the energy scientists were worried about the fast depleting fossil duel reserves. It was estimated that in India only 0.6 per cent of the fossil fuel reserves were left, while the population here was 16 per cent of the world population, he added.

8220;It is very dangerous to depend on import of such scare commodity. The recent hike in diesel prices have already given an indication to our people, planners, administrators and policy makers to reorient and change our strategies for development,8221; he observed.

The various survey conducted by the government and non-governmental agencies have clearly indicated that villages were rich in bio-diversity and being a tropical country, India has sufficient sunlight, rain-water and fertile soil, Dave added.

8220;We have a very rich heritage of organic farming and have millions of artisans well trainees in various skills such as spinning, weaving, tanning, pottery, wood work and blacksmith,8221; he said.

The seminar was inaugurated by State Labour Minister Bhupendra Lakhawala and was attended by 60 participants, including veteran agriculture and animal husbandry scientists, engineers and social activists. The organisers claimed that messages from Prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Petroleum Minister Ram Naik were also received by the organisers on the seminar.