Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 150
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 151
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Warning (512): Unable to emit headers. Headers sent in file=/home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php line=853 [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 48]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 148]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 181]
LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Farm uncertainties

Farm uncertainties

Share this article Share this article
published Published on Sep 12, 2011   modified Modified on Sep 12, 2011

-The Hindu Business Line

 

The uncertainty over adopting agricultural biotechnology is in no one's interest, given the high food inflation and dependence on imports.

With food inflation climbing once again above 10 per cent, it has become even more urgent for the government to provide a a clear mandate in terms of policy support, the technology options and requisite investment for domestic agriculture. Output growth, especially of proteins, has been decisively trailing burgeoning demand, and the case for boosting farm production and productivity and cutting costs across the supply chain cannot be overstated. As a primary source of livelihood, agriculture is becoming increasingly unremunerative and unsustainable; the economic and social consequences are there for all to see — agrarian crisis, large-scale migration to the cities, farmers' suicides and the like. In some essential food products, such as pulses and edible oils, our import dependence is well-established, and in rice, sugar and coarse cereals it is a matter of time before regular imports become inevitable.

Admittedly, we have almost all that it takes to be an agricultural superpower — abundant sunshine, adequate rainfall, varied agro-climatic conditions and biodiversity. That said, several simultaneous steps are necessary to strengthen domestic agriculture to ensure sustained output growth, lower losses and decent farm incomes. The policy focus in the last ten years has been so diffuse that there is a discernable wariness in the flow of investments to the farm sector; thus the seed companies' trepidation over investment in technology. The policy environment is confusing. No one is sure whether science will prevail over populism. As if to confound the confusion, the Centre has directed seed research companies to obtain permission from State governments to conduct field trials.

As different States take conflicting or contradictory stands on the subject, there is further uncertainty. In recent months, there have been more than 100 applications seeking regulatory approvals to conduct field trials for genetically-modified crops. Effective regulatory oversight and strict compliance with research mandates is another area that deserves attention. Bio-safety and related issues have to be addressed with utmost care and commitment. The uncertainty over adoption of agricultural biotechnology as a way forward is in no one's interest. Under the Constitution, agriculture is a State subject but, strangely, New Delhi seems to have discovered this only in June, when it asked research firms to obtain clearance from the respective State governments. It is critical that the Central government takes a clear stand on the future of the use of biotechnology in agriculture. Otherwise, the country faces the daunting challenge of pursuing non-technology options.

The Hindu Business Line, September, 2011, http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/editorial/article2427196.ece?homepage=true


Related Articles

 

Write Comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

Video Archives

Archives

share on Facebook
Twitter
RSS
Feedback
Read Later

Contact Form

Please enter security code
      Close