Author : J. Venkateswarlu
The Planning Commission organized several working groups and one of the groups was to address agriculture. The recommendations made by each of the working groups were very meaningful and useful for the country and for the Planning Commission to evolve the strategies for XII FYP.
We are happy that there is a growing realization at various levels (CBOs, researchers, planners, activists, thinkers as well as Government) to look for alternate production systems. Need for biomass generation is gaining ground. It is also good to note the efforts of the committee on “Works on individual land in MGNREGS” prepared by Gopal (CEC) and his associates bearing a fruit as the MoRD is now expanding the horizons of the MGNREGS to meet these goals.
We hope while launching more KVKs, the DARE would address the problem of “Udyog Vikas” as part of the activities of the existing and upcoming KVKs by augmenting the strength of the trainer units. Similarly we fondly believe that the Government would look into the effect of climate change on the natural resources (land, water, vegetation) and not limit to crops and livestock production systems. Lastly there is a need for converging several of the programmes that provide “doles” to the farmers with on-going programmes like IWMP and MGNREGS.
J. Venkateswarlu
Former Director, CAZRI, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Email: jagarlapudi34@yahoo.co.in
Sustainable Agriculture and Smallholders - A brief note