Redesigning crop mix necessary for Green Revolution II

New Delhi, Nov 21 (UNI) In a bid to meet the challenges of second generation problems, globalisation and economic reforms, there is a need to redesign the crop mix and add value to the farm produce so as to make it more rewarding for farmers.

Along with numerous accomplishments in Indian agriculture, there has been significant resource degradation and thus it becomes essential to produce crops with high inputs use efficiency, improvement in nutritional quality and stability in storage, industry body Assocham said today in a paper on 'Green Revolution II: Sustainable Agriculture'.

Assocham President Anil K Agarwal said that there was increasing awareness about sustainable agriculture in view of energy shortages, food safety and environmental pollution arising out of chemical farming. ''The alternate agriculture systems known as organic or ecological or regenerated farming systems, having long term durability and being truly sustainable are gaining much attention,'' he said.

The paper stated that major objective of sustainable agriculture and rural development is to increase the food production in an appropriate manner and enhance food security on a long term basis.

This will involve education intiatives, utilisation of economic incentives and the development of appropriate and innovative technologies.

Such steps will ensure stable supplies of nutritious food to vulnerable groups and generate employment and income to alleviate poverty, besides reducing pressure on natural resources and protecting environment.

It is believed that the sustainable agriculture, synonymous to Green Revolution II has three main goals -- attaining sound environmental health, enhancing profitability and ensuring socio-economic equity.

A systematic process is to be adopted to ensure smooth and effective transition to sustainable agriculture. The process involves several steps including rationalisation of land use and resource system in various agro-climatic zones; move towards market-led crop diversification; extensive use of ICT in agriculture; and bias towards organic inputs including vermi-composting.

Tha chamber suggested that further diversification of Indian agriculture should take place rapidly so as to better utilise the available resources.

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