WE THE PEOPLE
Land degradation, mineral depletion and indiscriminate use of pesticides have affected food production adversely
ence Experts suggest blending modern technology with traditional technology of yesteryears to boost productivity in Kashmir valley
By: Dr G.M.Wani
Srinagar: Agricultural extension is evolving world wide and there is much emphasis today on community-based mechanisms of dissemination in order to bring sustainable change. The factors that make farmer groups successful in disseminating information and technologies need detailed analysis. A mixed methodology, multiple-stage approach stands used to obtain data.
Moreover, we have to use more technology based cropping system to increase productivity per unit land. Horizontal expansion is not possible. Embargo on indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and other farm-use-agents is another constraint to increase productivity of food grain. Unfortunately our food grain-production pace has declined. Growth rate of 1-2% has put pressures on our economy. Imports of food grains, an anomaly over past decade, needs problem-cause-analysis. The whole system of National Agricultural Research, extension and field functionaries have registered a fatigue. Similarly, the land degradation, mineral depletion and environmental pollution demands new mechanism to boost productivity.
“State Agriculture Management and Extension Training Institute may help to make adjustments in our farming system so as to integrate agriculture, aquaculture, water conservation and livestock rearing with new technology driven profit earning enterprises. This needs a continued and farmer friendly policies of sustainable agriculture. Technology awareness and application is must to produce more unit of land. We do have a chance as our yields are lower than many countries and even our neighboring states of India,” said a group of knowledgeable person of Kashmir valley.
Organic farming is advocated as modern technology. We left our traditional organic farming for adopting chemical farming, which landed us in trouble. This rotation of modernity and traditionality taxed us heavily. We perhaps jumped in adopting or testing technologies without comparing them with our own practices. Now reverting back to our own traditional ways is fraught with problems too. The questions often asked are, can we sustain or even maintain our productivity levels by restoring to the organic farming? The Blending of modern technology of today and traditional technology of yester years may answer this question. Can information and communication skills and technology bridge a new union?
The present day information and communication technology has trespassed all barriers of race, religion, culture and countries. A Comprehensive study of 23 review papers and a dozen book and journals were presented by the author in 2005. How communication and information can help production and sustain yields stands discussed in detail. Strong warning systems for climate risks, floods and cyclones, pests and mites could help to raise more crops. Farming informatics and awareness packages through print, mass and now E-mails is possible. The role of competitive farming, economic survey and evaluation of farming and women’s integration needs attention. Women, the half of agricultural work force, are still unaware of the technological skills. The barriers of customs, veil, religion and social bondages could be overcome by educating them through TV, cassettes, e-mails or other modern communication appliances.
Technology transfer is easy. We can announce technology practices or even demonstrate them. The key issue is its adoption. India with 25% of its GDP from agriculture spends some 2% of the same on its subsidies rather than on transfer of technology. Blending subsides with agricultural exports will need a drastic cut under new WTO agreements. The global market access opportunity limit of 3% import shall further complicate the issues. The international standards of sanitation shall need more awareness at farmer’s door. Our Agricultural exports from agricultural items has been up and now we export around 18.45% agricultural good in the shape of apiculture, floriculture, fresh fruits, mushroom, spices, sugar, molasses, rice, tropical fruit juices, pulp, concentrates and even agro-chemicals. Fruit, nuts and vegetables have increased our export earnings. Our limitations in expanding our exports are infrastructure to provide international bio-safe packaging, phyto sanitation & quarantine measures. Our yields too are low to complete with others. Thus, transfer to technology has not to be limited to man methods, publication, leaflets, folders, bulletins, newsletters, journals, magazine, newspaper publication, rural farm broadcasts or television interviews but has to be supplemented with video conferencing, massive awareness campaigns through video cassettes, cable net works and other local farm telecasts. The propaganda, publicity and persuasion has to be supplied with communication skills like rural journalism, popular participation, motivation and more so through management of information systems. The farm visits, farmers calls, letters have to be intensified. Farmers need information on markets, bio standards and markeing research and networking mechanisms.
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