Jakhar for timely initiative to address ryots' woes

Bhopal, Aug 23 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Governor Balram Jakhar today warned that if a timely initiative was not taken for addressing farmers' woes, the situation could become anarchic.

''India's peasants are its identity. The cultivator community is grappling with numerous problems. Surrounded by an economic crisis, ryots are heading for urban centres where employment and resettlement elude them. Desperation consequently drives the youth from rural areas into the world of crime,'' the eminent agriculturist said in a chat with the press at Raj Bhavan on his 84th birthday.

Pointing out that farmers are often victims of ouster after their plots were acquired for various reasons such as airport expansion, Dr Jakhar added that resettlement packages are doled out but no initiative taken for providing permanent jobs.

''In such circumstances, peasants ought to be brought under the ambit of the Employment Guarantee Scheme. Community farming is a better alternative for India's cultivators as it could tackle the increasing pressure being exerted on farmland due to the population explosion,'' he felt.

The Governor warned that this state's Malwa region would be converted into a desert if the challenge of a declining water table was not addressed in time.

''During a recent visit to Gwalior, I observed locals confronting water paucity there as well. Groundwater sources should be recharged and other methods implemented speedily. Drip irrigation and other ways have been adopted in Israel and a few other countries where water is considered a priceless resource,'' he explained.

UNI