WE THE PEOPLE
Our farmers still use farmyard manure, don’t take recourse to soil tests to determine soil fertility and proper selection of pesticides
Hence well documented interaction between farmers, extension education workers, researchers and policy makers is necessary to boost productivity in J&K
By: Dr G.M. Wani
Srinagar: The technological know how generated over years is still on shelf. Much of it has remained frozen if not dead within the fore walls of the Institutions. The location specific, crop and soil specific innovations to farmer’s practices are few. Our integrated & mixed farming practiced by our farmer’s needs improvement, which is not forthcoming. Our research Institutes mostly conduct experimentation on commercial farming of the West with few modifications and even additions at times. Our traditional agriculture existing still in remote areas encompass the use of farmyard manure, vormiculture & use of agricultural waste materials. The present problems of low soil fertility, reduction in yields and soil salinity have arisen due to excessive use of chemical inputs in farming with little care of the soil. This scenario has resulted due to incomplete innovative approaches of research. Our researchers blindly advocated more and more use of fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides, which helped to gain grain revolutions, but left legacy of polluted water, air & environment with degraded soils. These revolutions debarred future sustenance. This was due to poor perception & vision to foresee the net results on long time frame. The immediate need is to make researchers akin with information technology and advanced communication. The rapid evolution of information science demands quick and speedy transfer of technologies, awareness & even subject reviews of farmers for speedy application. The productivity would be better if technological advances are adopted and their impact is known. The knowledge of computer hardware, software as well interlinking the information dissemination channels and outlets is essential. A new concept of Farmer school with communication system can resolve 70% problems of farmers on spot.
The globalization of agriculture marketing has put forth-new challenges. It is not only the yield, which matters, but the benefit/cost ratio. The economic viability of an agricultural product has now more importance. The product even if economic and globally competitive has to pass quality tests. The international phyto sanitation standards are going to be tougher. The emergence of diseases like Mad cow disease or even SAARS being linked to animal cultures and other diseases from Agricultural & Livestock products warrants bio-safe agricultural produce. The decision has to be supported with information not only on marketing, international safety but also on a law regulating agencies and regulations too. Unawareness of these support system could lead us to bankruptcy. Thus a strong case for tools and information management comes into force. The international computer networking and communication systems alone could help in decision making for appropriate and economic viable agricultural production.
Now we do talk of ecologically based pest management instead of integrated pest Management (IPM). The buzzword for future in this regard is intelligent pest Management (IPM). As the system now advocated is not the blanket sprays of chemical pesticides but intelligent and well computed programmes of pest management, which incorporates their safe and long term application, economic viability and bio-safety of products. Perhaps a well-documented interaction between farmers, extension education workers, researchers and policy makers is necessary. This would take years if communication methodology of video conferencing, Internet and related satellite technological advancement in communication is not used. This is what would be future intelligent Agricultural Management.
The whole system of agricultural research, teaching and extension in NARS needs renewal. A composite ARS system has to be introduced with strong basic of communication and IT. All programmes in the field should be participatory. All agencies be it ICAR, RRL, Universities, SAU or other institutions and industry have to be webbed together with extension delivery systems in the field. More participation of farmers in planning and execution of project like mega seed or mission horticulture is needed. A true transparent and open system of selection both for Management positions and scientific positions should be advocated. Changing standards for individuals is a crime. Those at top have to exercise truth, justice and fair-play. The role of politics and politicians should be minimal in national extension delivery system. An outreach through communication and IT is the only achievable solution.
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