Even as India has consistently been producing foodgrains in good quantity and increasing share of agriculture in its export basket (10.22% in 2008-09 to 13.8% in 2012-13), agriculture minister Sharad Pawar is a worried man. He is worried about the country's future, wondering whether India will be able to meet food demand of growing population with the current level of farm productivity. He knows the solution, but resistance to his ideas troubles him. He thinks it's high time to accelerate pace of agricultural growth to meet "additional requirement" of foodgrains for proper implementation of the Food Security Act. He knows farm productivity can be increased by introducing genetically modified (GM) crops, besides simultaneously taking other steps. He even pleads for taking some bold steps to reap benefits of scientific research and suggests measures which can bring "food and nutritional" security. He shared his views and concerns during an interview to the TOI. Excerpts:
Q: Production of foodgrain has increased over the years (from 230.78 million tonnes in 2007-08 to 259.29 million tonnes in 2011-12). India also has buffer stock to meet demand in a bad crop year. Still, we have seen rise in price of foodgrain. What are the factors behind it?
A: It is due to the Minimum Support Price (MSP). We have increased MSP for various foodgrains so that farmers can get better price. In fact, the cost of cultivation has been increased due to high prices of diesel, fertilizers and other raw materials and high labour (minimum wages) cost. We have to factor in all these while deciding the MSP. If we don't increase it, farmers will shift to other (non-foodgrain) crops. It will further complicate the matter. You know MSP is the benchmark. Market price is always higher than the MSP. Farmers have benefited from it and therefore they stick to foodgrain cultivation.
Q: It is good that farmers are getting better price. But it, in a way, affects common consumers due to high market price. Can't we have a solution where all sections can benefit without facing the pinch of price rise?
A: Government procures substantial quantity of foodgrain at MSP and distributes it at cheaper rate through public distribution system across the country. Under Food Security Act, 82 crore people will now benefit from all these measures by getting foodgrain (rice, wheat and coarse grains) at cheap rates. Nowhere in the world is foodgrain available at such a cheap rate. Production of foodgrain has increased substantially in the past five-six years. We had 259.29 million tonnes of foodgrain production in 2011-12 which was the highest in 60 years. We have also become foodgrain exporter. In the year 2012-13, we exported agricultural produce worth Rs 2.32 lakh crore. We are, in fact, the largest exporter of rice and second largest exporter of cotton, sugar and wheat.
Q: Will the current level of production sustain the food requirement in future, taking into account our growing population and shrinking cultivable land?
A: Yes, this is a major concern. India accounts for only 2.4 % of the world's geographical area and 4% of its water resources, but supports about 17% of the world's population. We cannot expand land. That's why I have consistently been telling my colleagues (in the Cabinet) to think about it and take adequate measures. We have to increase productivity. We have to take four measures. First, we have to improve irrigation facility and bring more and more area under irrigation, taking into account the limited availability of water resources. And for this, we need more investment. Second, we have to lay emphasis on research so that our scientists can develop new varieties of seeds. Third, we have to ensure availability of fertilizers. Finally, we have to constantly offer better MSP to farmers. I firmly believe that if we follow these measures, our food security obligations can easily be sustainable.
Q: As far as better quality of seeds are concerned, Indian scientists and their counterparts in other countries have come out with many transgenic (genetically modified) varieties which can increase productivity. But there has been lot of resistance to it in India. What is your stand?
A: As far as GM crops are concerned, it should be the responsibility of any government to take maximum precaution to see its impact before releasing such seeds for commercial production. Take number of years of field trials to see whether these transgenic varieties have any bad impact on soil, water, other crops, human being, birds, animals and overall environment. One has to thoroughly check all these for years. And if we come to the conclusion after field trials that it does not affect human health and environment, then we don't have choice but we have to use GM seeds to increase productivity.
Q: All these happened in the case of Bt Brinjal. The crop had passed trials. But the government in February 2010 put an open-ended moratorium on its release. Why did government take that decision?
A: Look, agriculture ministry had never supported that decision. Certain decisions were taken by the Supreme Court when issues were raised before it. Secondly, it was the environment ministry which had taken the decision of putting a moratorium on it. Subsequently, field trials were stopped for other GM crops by different states. I had written to the prime minister expressing my views. I told him that it was quite unfortunate that our scientists are not even allowed to take field trials. It's really very strange. How will they know the impact of such crops on human health or environment unless they are allowed to go for field trials? They don't need thousands of acres of land for trials. They only need two-three or four-five acres of land for carrying out scientific trials. My plea is to allow our scientists, who have done tremendous work in this area like the best scientists in the world, to go for field trials to see the impact and usefulness of transgenic seed varieties they have developed. Don't let their work remain in the lab. Don't demoralize our scientists.
Q: Do you see prospects of any breakthrough after your persistent advocacy for using GM crops to increase agricultural productivity, of course after proper trial, in the country?
A: The major part is pending with the Supreme Court. The apex court had set up a Technical Expert Committee (TEC) which gave an adverse report. When we resisted, one more expert (an agriculture scientist) was included in the committee. I am told that expert (R S Paroda) has submitted a positive report in court. Let's see what the apex court thinks about all this. I wish learned people of our country discuss issues weighing all the arguments and take a decision which can benefit farmers, scientists and all other citizens while taking into account the country's food and nutritional security. I need to tell them that we have been importing edible oils from countries like the US, Brazil and Argentina. These are mostly soya bean and these are primarily GM. It's strange that certain organizations based in these countries are engaged in propaganda against transgenic crops whereas their own countries are growing such crops and exporting it to other parts of the world including India.
Q: Is there any plan to create special agricultural zone in the country like special economic zone? And, do you think the government should go for separate budget for agriculture as there has been demand for it from farmers' organizations?
A: We had discussed the concept of special agricultural zone in the past. You know land is a 'state' subject and it depends on agriculture land ceiling issues. So, it is not feasible. As far as separate budget for agriculture is concerned, I don't subscribe to such views. It's an impractical demand. There are so many sectors - industry, power, water etc - which contribute to agriculture sector directly and indirectly. Similarly, we can't say water in a particular dam should exclusively be used for irrigation or power from certain electricity generating plants should be used exclusively for agriculture. So, instead of going for a separate budget, I would rather prefer more money for investment in irrigation projects, research and providing better price to farmers for their agricultural produce........................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDEzLzA5LzI1I0FyMDEyMDA=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
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Q: Production of foodgrain has increased over the years (from 230.78 million tonnes in 2007-08 to 259.29 million tonnes in 2011-12). India also has buffer stock to meet demand in a bad crop year. Still, we have seen rise in price of foodgrain. What are the factors behind it?
A: It is due to the Minimum Support Price (MSP). We have increased MSP for various foodgrains so that farmers can get better price. In fact, the cost of cultivation has been increased due to high prices of diesel, fertilizers and other raw materials and high labour (minimum wages) cost. We have to factor in all these while deciding the MSP. If we don't increase it, farmers will shift to other (non-foodgrain) crops. It will further complicate the matter. You know MSP is the benchmark. Market price is always higher than the MSP. Farmers have benefited from it and therefore they stick to foodgrain cultivation.
Q: It is good that farmers are getting better price. But it, in a way, affects common consumers due to high market price. Can't we have a solution where all sections can benefit without facing the pinch of price rise?
A: Government procures substantial quantity of foodgrain at MSP and distributes it at cheaper rate through public distribution system across the country. Under Food Security Act, 82 crore people will now benefit from all these measures by getting foodgrain (rice, wheat and coarse grains) at cheap rates. Nowhere in the world is foodgrain available at such a cheap rate. Production of foodgrain has increased substantially in the past five-six years. We had 259.29 million tonnes of foodgrain production in 2011-12 which was the highest in 60 years. We have also become foodgrain exporter. In the year 2012-13, we exported agricultural produce worth Rs 2.32 lakh crore. We are, in fact, the largest exporter of rice and second largest exporter of cotton, sugar and wheat.
Q: Will the current level of production sustain the food requirement in future, taking into account our growing population and shrinking cultivable land?
A: Yes, this is a major concern. India accounts for only 2.4 % of the world's geographical area and 4% of its water resources, but supports about 17% of the world's population. We cannot expand land. That's why I have consistently been telling my colleagues (in the Cabinet) to think about it and take adequate measures. We have to increase productivity. We have to take four measures. First, we have to improve irrigation facility and bring more and more area under irrigation, taking into account the limited availability of water resources. And for this, we need more investment. Second, we have to lay emphasis on research so that our scientists can develop new varieties of seeds. Third, we have to ensure availability of fertilizers. Finally, we have to constantly offer better MSP to farmers. I firmly believe that if we follow these measures, our food security obligations can easily be sustainable.
Q: As far as better quality of seeds are concerned, Indian scientists and their counterparts in other countries have come out with many transgenic (genetically modified) varieties which can increase productivity. But there has been lot of resistance to it in India. What is your stand?
A: As far as GM crops are concerned, it should be the responsibility of any government to take maximum precaution to see its impact before releasing such seeds for commercial production. Take number of years of field trials to see whether these transgenic varieties have any bad impact on soil, water, other crops, human being, birds, animals and overall environment. One has to thoroughly check all these for years. And if we come to the conclusion after field trials that it does not affect human health and environment, then we don't have choice but we have to use GM seeds to increase productivity.
Q: All these happened in the case of Bt Brinjal. The crop had passed trials. But the government in February 2010 put an open-ended moratorium on its release. Why did government take that decision?
A: Look, agriculture ministry had never supported that decision. Certain decisions were taken by the Supreme Court when issues were raised before it. Secondly, it was the environment ministry which had taken the decision of putting a moratorium on it. Subsequently, field trials were stopped for other GM crops by different states. I had written to the prime minister expressing my views. I told him that it was quite unfortunate that our scientists are not even allowed to take field trials. It's really very strange. How will they know the impact of such crops on human health or environment unless they are allowed to go for field trials? They don't need thousands of acres of land for trials. They only need two-three or four-five acres of land for carrying out scientific trials. My plea is to allow our scientists, who have done tremendous work in this area like the best scientists in the world, to go for field trials to see the impact and usefulness of transgenic seed varieties they have developed. Don't let their work remain in the lab. Don't demoralize our scientists.
Q: Do you see prospects of any breakthrough after your persistent advocacy for using GM crops to increase agricultural productivity, of course after proper trial, in the country?
A: The major part is pending with the Supreme Court. The apex court had set up a Technical Expert Committee (TEC) which gave an adverse report. When we resisted, one more expert (an agriculture scientist) was included in the committee. I am told that expert (R S Paroda) has submitted a positive report in court. Let's see what the apex court thinks about all this. I wish learned people of our country discuss issues weighing all the arguments and take a decision which can benefit farmers, scientists and all other citizens while taking into account the country's food and nutritional security. I need to tell them that we have been importing edible oils from countries like the US, Brazil and Argentina. These are mostly soya bean and these are primarily GM. It's strange that certain organizations based in these countries are engaged in propaganda against transgenic crops whereas their own countries are growing such crops and exporting it to other parts of the world including India.
Q: Is there any plan to create special agricultural zone in the country like special economic zone? And, do you think the government should go for separate budget for agriculture as there has been demand for it from farmers' organizations?
A: We had discussed the concept of special agricultural zone in the past. You know land is a 'state' subject and it depends on agriculture land ceiling issues. So, it is not feasible. As far as separate budget for agriculture is concerned, I don't subscribe to such views. It's an impractical demand. There are so many sectors - industry, power, water etc - which contribute to agriculture sector directly and indirectly. Similarly, we can't say water in a particular dam should exclusively be used for irrigation or power from certain electricity generating plants should be used exclusively for agriculture. So, instead of going for a separate budget, I would rather prefer more money for investment in irrigation projects, research and providing better price to farmers for their agricultural produce........................http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDEzLzA5LzI1I0FyMDEyMDA=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom
AND (Kolkata Edition)
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AND (New Delhi Edition)
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