Agri Growth Even In `10-11 Unlikely To Improve: SenMonday, February 08, 2010

Planning Commission Member, Prof. Abhijit Sen on Monday apprehended that agriculture growth even in fiscal 2010-11 is unlikely to show improvements as it is going to stay negative in current fiscal sine rabi crop is unlikely to yield desired results in view of rise in temperature.

Inaugurating ASSOCHAM organized Green Revolution II Summit here today, Prof. Sen said, “kharif has been badly damaged because of poor monsoon and hurt agriculture production substantially in 2009-10. The rabi which was expected to compensate for lost kharif production in ongoing fiscal is also in for problems because of rise in temperature, which might kill it’s foreseen higher yield prospects”.

On BT technology, the Planning Commission Member categorically stated that it’s applications on non-food items such as BT cotton has been excellent.However, it’s application on food items be subjected to wider consultation as it is not a matter of science but a subject to people’s confidence and accordingly government should take a decision on it’s applications on Indian soil, added Prof. Sen.

Prof. Sen endorsed observations of Prof. M S Swaminathan who in his keynote speech during the ASSOCHAM organized Summit squarely blamed executors of government policies on agriculture front due to which, Indian agriculture has come to this stage today.

Prof. Swaminathan predicted that India is heading for draught until drastic steps are taken to hold back majority of Indian population adhere on to agriculture by giving them remunerative prices, good seeds, better infrastructure and know-how with technologies.

According to Prof. Swaminathan, agriculture growth will not remain negative in current fiscal but it’s plight will be as much miserable as that of current fiscal even in next fiscal.

Prof. Sen, however, said that there could be shortfall in the agriculture growth even in next fiscal but the government will be able to maintain the projected growth rate of over 4% for agriculture sector by the time 11th five year plan period gets over.

He said that in the 12th five year plan period, the government is determined to release a grant of Rs.6000 crore to 600 districts across the country so that farmers are taught application of technology to improve their agriculture yield.

On the pricing front, Prof. Sen was hopeful that the prices of essential commodities would gradually come down as these are driven by multiple factors. He did not favor imports to subside price rise as globally prices of commodities including grains and cereals are north worthy side and recommended increase in domestic produce.

Dr. William S Niebur, Vice President, Crop Genetics R&D, DuPont said that with adoption of modern technologies, India can increase it’s yield of agriculture produce and feed it’s population at reasonably lower prices.  Soil fertility in India has come down and not many praiseworthy steps were taken after first Green revolution to increase the fertility, he pointed out.

Therefore, India needs to forge alliances for increased fertility of it’s land to provide it’s farmers necessary skills to increase their food grain production and thereby ensure food security for India, felt Dr. Swati Piramal, President ASSOCHAM while delivering her welcome address.

Among others who spoke on the occasion included Dr. Punjab Singh, former DG, ICAR Mr. Pradeep Wig, Chairman, Kwality Group and Mr. D S Rawat, ASSOCHAM Secretary General.

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