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Thanks to "planned
interventions", we have had a record production of 209
million tonnes of foodgrains. We have also become the largest
producer of milk (76 million tonnes), and the second largest
producer of rice (88.25 million tonnes), wheat (74.25 million
tonnes), fruits (40 million tonnes) and vegetables (68 million
tonnes) in the world. Yet much needs to be done to enhance
qualitative and quantitative potential of our agriculture
sector. Let us not forget that because of increasing population,
the per capita consumption of quality food products is well
below the optimum required for having a healthy population.
A.G. Sawant,
giving the farmers’ perspective on agricultural extension
policy, says that such policies have been used by different
countries as a means of meeting the growing demands for food and
its declining availability. Thus agricultural extension policy
serves as an impetus to technological changes that would boost
agricultural income. In India, there are four salient features
of the transfer of technology system, — (1) agricultural
extension service with the state governments; (2) extension
education system of ICAR and SAU system; (3) extension programme
of input industries in public and private sectors and NGOs; and
(4) special rural development programmes of the central and the
state governments. Sawant points out that food, nutrition and
environmental security are major challenges in the context of
increasing population. We need five million tonnes of additional
foodgrains annually apart from substantial increase in the
supply of livestock, fish, and horticultural products..
Rajula Chandran
points out, "Emphasis on a systems perspective in
agricultural research requires a complete reversal of the
technology generation approach, viz., a farmer first or farmer
participation approach where farmers are fully involved at all
stages of technology development". P. Badrinarayanan says
that extension education as a means for transfer of technology
among the target groups has undergone many changes in its
approach mechanism for reaching greater speed and efficiency to
transfer over the years. It is, among other things, the outcome
of growing needs for greater volume of innovations to be passed
on, their diversity and complexity, the increase in number and
variety of clientele to be addressed due to newer extension
methodologies generated by extension exports themselves.
This book is a
collection of papers presented at a national symposium on "Modernising
Indian Agriculture in 21st Century: Challenges, Opportunities
and Strategies" organised by the International Extension
Forum. The 31 chapters in this volume have been divided into
four sections. The first mainly dwells on the idea that
participatory variety selection can be adopted for successful
technological development and participatory methodology will be
ideal for early spread and acceptance of new varieties. The
second section deals with the analysis of emerging trends of
privatisation, scope of exploiting private and corporate
services in extension. It conveys the message that pluralism in
extension shall mark the future of technology dissemination for
meeting the ever-changing needs. The third part highlights
technology utilisation. In order to make marginal farming viable
due importance needs to be given to dry land farming technology
for effective water-harvesting, soil conservation, developing
and maintenance of common pastures.
In the last
section policy issues and recommendations have been elaboratedon.
M The main focus is on genetic engineering for sustainable
development and environmental protection needs of farmers
require to be taken due care of.
This book is
invaluable for research and policy making purposes.
* * *
Managing
Canal Irrigation in India
by Sib Ranjan Misra. Concept, New Delhi. Pages 159. Rs 225.
This work deals
with another facet of Indian agriculture that is mainly
dependent on monsoon. Ever since independence efforts have been
made to develop various means of irrigation. Canals are one of
the most important sources of irrigation. India has been
investing on irrigation at a rate not matched by any other
country in the world, claims the author. India’s
"enviable" engineering accomplishments have helped
increase the agricultural production manifold. But there are
some problems in the irrigation system. Cost of construction is
rising, suitable sites for setting up big irrigation projects
are not easily available. Wherever such sites are available poor
execution of projects have neutralised the advantages.
Misra further
notes, "It has been frequently observed that the investment
of scarce capital resources in irrigation projects results in
low returns. Delay in completion of projects results in costs
escalation. There are projects which are under construction for
more than thirty years. Inter-state water disputes often
contribute to the spread of available resources thinly on
multiple projects."
Thus the
emphasis now has shifted to water management. Towards this end
canals are looked upon as ideal. Canal irrigation offers
comparatively high scope for such management than tubewell or
tank irrigation because a canal benefits a large section of
community, offers high management intensity and there is vast
unutilised created potential. However there is a dichotomy here.
Despite the obvious advantages of canal farmers prefer well and
tank irrigation to canals. Canal irrigation’s share has come
down from 40 per cent to 35 per cent . Perhaps it has something
to do with his keen desire for self-reliance. The author
observes, "…it is the well irrigation which has made the
most spectacular progress. In 1960-61 only 0.1 million hectares
were irrigated by tubewells; but in 1990-91, over 14 million
hectares were irrigated by tube-wells." The share of tanks
too has more than doubled over the same time span.
The reasons
behind farmers’ preference for well and tank irrigation
systems are several. The most important reason is perhaps that
tubewells give farmers a lot of independence in deciding the
quantity of water that might be used and the timing of its
utilisation. These are critical inputs in today’s farming and
cannot be treated lightly. The canal system of irrigation places
a farmer in a vulnerable position vis-a-vis the better-placed
farmers.
The points
raised by the author in this treatise compel considering. Our
irrigation system requires to be upgraded and brought in tune
with the farming needs for the new millennium.
* * *
Capacity
Building for Local Body Leaders
by G. Palanithurai.Concept, New Delhi. Pages 144. Rs:
225.
With the
passage of time it is being increasingly felt that governance
needs to be sophisticated enough to cater to the aspirations of
the people at the grassroots level. Towards this end new
institutions and administrative tools need to be introduced. The
73rd amendment to the Constitution of India seeks to prime
various institutions for playing meaningful roles in the field
of socio-economic development and general administration. The
panchayati raj is one such institution that is expected to cater
to popular expectations. Therefore the concept of capacity
building has been envisaged. Capacity building enables
individuals as well as institutions to contribute constructively
towards society’s all round progress. The newly created
constitutional institutions will have to play a variety of roles
under the guidance of elected leaders. Therefore it becomes
imperative that the leaders’ capacity is enhanced. They need
to be suitably trained for taking up the responsibilities of
running institutions and carrying out socially beneficial
activities.
Palanithurai
points out that in order to discharge their duties in highly
fragmented communities and complicated administrative system,
the local body leaders’ skills need to be upgraded. Gradually
the process can be taken to the higher institutions like the
state legislature and even Parliament so that challenges posed
by ever-changing socio-economic scenarios at the national and
international levels could be met adequately. Leadership
qualities are not inherent. They need to be inculcated through
systematic training programs and development of conducive
environment.
Giving examples
of gram panchayat training programmes at Madurai, the author
observes, "The perception that panchayats are to perform
service function is lingering in the minds of leaders as they
are not aware of the provisions and main implications of the new
panchayati raj system... They presumed that more powers would be
given to panchayats and equally more amount of money would also
be given to panchayats…" The author goes on to show how
well-meaning projects come to naught thanks to ignorance and
avarice. Therefore it becomes all more important to educate the
grassroots level leaders about their responsibility towards
society.
This book has
eight chapters. Each of these is devoted to various training
programmes that would enhance the skills and capacities of
institutions involved in community development efforts as well
as of local administrative units.
This book can prove valuable to
those interested in rural development.
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