Some green light

If Prime Minister Manmohan Singh8217;s call to scientists to usher in a second green revolution is not to be viewed as mere seminar semantics, it needs to be backed by some smarter reflexes from New Delhi. Fact is economic policy and incentives play a crucial role in shaping the behaviour of millions of farmers across the country and of companies involved in agricultural research and development.

The main obstacle to a second green revolution 8212; quiet stirrings of which can even now be perceived in the countryside 8212; is the pro-cereal policy of the government. Agricultural policy is heavily biased in favour of foodgrains and is effected mainly through food subsidies and pricing policies, like minimum support prices and the procurement policies of the Food Corporation of India. The lack of infrastructure for the production of non-cereals 8212; like good roads and cold storage chains 8212; has only added to the problem. Now that India is self-sufficient in cereal production, there is no good economic reason to continue with these policies. Excellent research on new horticultural products and methods by agricultural scientists is not being put to use, precisely because of the government8217;s shortsightedness. The first green revolution may not have benefitted dryland agriculture, but further damage is being done today by power and water policies, which only encourage the cultivation of cereals, and reduce the incentive for crop diversification. The world of agriculture beyond cereals offers higher incomes for the small farmer. These crops generate greater income for more people than the production of cereals. Vegetable and fruit cultivation are estimated to be 5-8 times more profitable than cereals.

One approach which India has already tried without much success is to commit extra resources for horticulture. The strategy of subsidising cereal production is being extended to subsidise non-cereals. But the correct approach to ensure a shift to non-cereals is to take away the price incentives for both the outputs and inputs of cereal production. A change in government policy away from cereals may have its political vexations, since it would mean treading on the toes of the surplus producing, politically powerful, farmer. But unless the government takes up this challenge, the promise of ushering in a second green revolution will be an empty one, the brilliance of India8217;s scientists notwithstanding.