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Agricultural Productivity Changes in India Under Global Marketting Scenario

Agricultural Productivity gains through capacity building, eco-friendly farming and Extension Education Reforms

By PROF. GHULAM MOHY-UD-DIN WANI.

 DIRECTOR EXTENSION EDUCATION AND DIRECTOR SAMETI,SKUAST-K,SHALIMAR POST GPO 461 SRINAGAR-KASHMIR. Home page.www.profgmwani.page.tl. Email ghulamwani1949@gmail.com wanimohyuddun@yahoo.com Phones 09419095342 09419409546

ABSTRACT

Agricultural Production has entered new era of competitive-low-cost globally oriented enterprise. The cost-benefit ratio decide the mode of Farming. Global marketing needs some changes at base level. Farmers have to be cost conscious and need new strategies of mixing various farming option like Agriculture, Horticulture, Livestock husbandry and Floriculture activities. A new model for incorporating all these fields in an eco-friendly mode is discussed. Appropriate mixed technology in tune with natural resources needed at the moment in India.. An agricultural mission for efficient Resource management should aim at bridging gap between current farm yield and potential Farm yield. Use of bio-technology and bio-informatics for identification of economically viable cropping options and combinations can not be ruled out ,however soil and environmental preservation must be kept in mind while using biotech farming options. We should talk of Eco-conducive-germplasm-base instead of high productive – germplasm, un-competable to our natural resources. All these and other aspects of future agricultural scenario in India is discussed in these pages. India with 1.09 billion people and 60% of them dependent on agriculture can not be leveled with USA who has merely339 million people and only 0.7 of them dependent or agriculture. Therefore the past trend of aping USA OR EU models of agricultural development won’t help. We have to innovate new ways and means conducive to our agrarian conditions and available resource to increase our food production for growing population in future. Some of the original thoughts of the author published as e-papers are reproduced here to suggest new innovative models.  

          a) Change of mind set We will need a change in the mechanism of technology dissemination thus a reformation model for extension education in India is proposed in these pages. More than 50% of our practicing farmers are women who are not exposed to technology new or old, thus a system of their capacity building and skill up-gradation shall be focused Agricultural and allied technologies tested and available in India have been the replications of commercial farming ventures of the west. I would dare to blame our policy planners for this vulnerable state de-affairs. They professed chemical farming when we were world leaders of organics In the past century when whole world faced the ill effects of chemical farming we are busy in advocating our forgotten options which luckily are still existing in deep and uncommunicable pockects of our country called backward pockects. Our research need a change from individual crop or commodity farming research to mixed farming approaches .My mohy model of 1992 is being quoted withmohy model of 1992 is being quoted with out reference quite often by those whose hollowness of innovative ideas is responsible for our defective policies.

                b).Unfinished agenda needs,aims and goals

 Needs

       1 . Appropriate mixed technology in tune with natural resources.

       2. An agricultural mission for efficient Resource management, bridging gap between current farm yield and potential Farm yield.

      3. Use of bio-technology and bio-informatics for identification of economically viable cropping options and combinations.

       Emphasis

      We should talk of Eco-conducive-germplasm-base instead of high productive – germplasm, un-competable with our natural resources. Economic Farming which means cost effective use of Soil Water resources No air/water pollution

 c). NUTRIENT RECYCLING SYSTEM OPTIONS

      The chemical fertilizers are to be replaced by use of agricultural waste materials, Plant residues, aquatic weeds, left out materials, post harvest wastes, green manure, rainy season over grown vegetation, or abundant vegetation, green weeds, city drains, human excreta, animal manure, forest wastes, agriculture left out substances, bio-mass, bio-fertilizers, stall wastes & even pigeon beats etc. Nutrient cycling system has to be evolved first by analysing soil status of each agro-climatic zone . The integrated nutrient management system, has to be evolved. A new, refined, Govt-agri policy is needed. New Institutional support system, excellent marketing networks are to be proposed. For efficient land use we must wed traditional wisdom with improved technology, farmers training and profitable end products. We should advocate: a). Use of information technology to increase profits from overall farming; cropping, animal aquaculture etc. b) Analysis of available data on processing, production and its documentation for use in project preparation, policy formulation is a basic necessity.

              A new sensitive laboratory facility is envisioned for input and output quality assessment. c) Agriculture of today does not mean more production at environment cost but efficient and economic production with Environmental safeguards. INTRODUCTION Our 65% employment base is agriculture & its allied sectors like livestock We. Need in future : ? Food and environment security ? Employment generation through agrobased industry. ? Economic , balanced and hygienic food with original taste. and flavours. We are in a phase of cultural and economic transit. This transformation Process brings, New livelihood options, New production & utilization system Changed life styles & cultural habits

            I do not know how many of us know about USDA’s national Arboretum of Washington DC A 444 acre arboretum now has dropped pesticide use by 75% during 1992-96. They call it new land scope pest Management (NL PM). It was simple spot spraying i.e spray right where it is needed, i.e on diseased twig or branch or plant and only if it is needed. This shift from blanket spraying to selected sprays saved 75% of pesticide cost; other saving was through reduced labour cost and eco-risk factors.

             We need safe equipments and labour health monitoring and analysis of data. Another area which needs attention is use of less toxic pesticides. We call them bio-rational pesticides. They reduce cost by 12-32% and consist of Horticulture oils insecticidal soaps, insect growth regulators and predators.

        We talk of trainings for Information analysis, monitoring disaster, Management of floods droughts. Use of remote sensing and Global positioning system is needed. We in developing countries in future will have Industrial expansion, and more economic security..This will mean less people being attracted to agriculture or in other words agriculture becoming less renumerative. We need improved varieties, their rapid propagation through biotechnological use. We may have little options not to use biotech agriculture or mend fences between traditional, optional and modern biotechniques.

          This is where we talk now of molecular farming, using biotechnology for more transgenic crops . animals, aquaculture and, commercial floriculture. New issues in agricultural and other sciences in India are:

          1. Develop data base for patent formulations

          2. We need replacement of top down planning with gross root planning.

          3 More farmer’s participation  with reduced risks .

        4 Research in past, centered on improved seeds, irrigation, chemical use. We witnessed green revolution, freedom from hunger, but harmed environment. we have to look for alternate options for the execution of research.

        5. Extension education ,dissemination of information to farmer has to be the first concern of the public and private establishments and planners. Birds eye viewers have to be replaced with visionary professors and professionals.

       6. Farmer. farming and farm business shall be the First ranking scientific persuit investing at least an equivalent amount on it as is spend on health or nuclear establishments,.

                  Our policy should be Independent and self conscious farmers, with records of annual balances, gains and losses, risks and benefits.

     BOTTOM LINE CHALLENGE

          Bring self- reliant proud farmer trained & well versed in Agri-business

   Farmers need awareness on    

       Farming concepts and international zoo-phytosanitation recommendations and regulations.

      We need to stop WTO restrictions or options till our farming and farmers are not completely knowledge driven and economically resourceful to face the global farming competitions.

 PARADIGMS OF AGRI-EXTENSION. IN INDIA.

 Four paradigms of Agricultural extension consists of Technology transfer, prevalent since colonial times & later National Agriculture Extension Project (NAEP), reshaped in 1970-80 as Training and visit system across Asia. It involved top down approach. Its role needs discussion. The second paradigm called as Advisory work is what is present system of extension, where, government agencies, NGO and technical industries respond to farmers enquiries which we call advisory role. The third paradigm consists of Human Resource Development. This innovation helped Europe and North America. The Universities gave training to rural youth. It is these educated, trained youth which became future farmers in developed countries. What is known as outreach system of colleges and universities is still unknown in our Agricultural Research system including State Agriculture Universities. A half hearted attempt as Agri-business Agri-clinical is still to be backed with University, research, banking and economic support. Is it which can help us to increase productivity in India or Asia needs consideration? (Wani, 2008).

               Technology adoption and Impact

                     The impact of National Agricultural Research Project (NARP) (1986-92) revealed that technologies generated were few and adoption rate was not high, even then an estimated monetary benefit of Rs.2000/ per hectare was observed. Low relationship between technologies developed and adopted demands a mixed farming technology capsule as 65% of our farmer’sare small and marginal farmers. This needs a total shift to left in our agricultural extension methodology. (Reddy 2001, wani, 2008 a b c). T & V programme initiated with central assistance in state has aroused all round technological awareness among agricultural experts. Its dialogue and technology transfer from University (Scientists) to experts agricultural extension workers was nearly total revolution.

                  The (ZAREC) Zonal Agricultural advisory Research and Extension counseling was the best plate form to discuss main issues impeding agricultural development. The missionary publication of production recommendations helps a lot in transfer of technology. The presentation of production recommendations in local language is helpful in increasing productivity in many countries. (Wani, 2004) Brinjal production technology adoption in Parbani, Mahrastra was the result of social participation, risk management guarantee, marketing orientation, information websites and communication methods. (Dudhak et al 2003). Various limitation of transport, extension staff were the reasons of poor productivity gains in Malakhand agency of Pakistan. (Mohamad et al, 2003).

            The adoption of legume production technologies under Jhodpur arid conditions was low. The problems as indicated by farmers were small farm size. Small holder farmer was less interested to adopt these technologies. Non existence of market and pricing policy, risk of failure, feeding habits, social taboo and lack of Post Harvest Technology (PHT) were identified. (Yadev et al, 2003). Proper guidance or information support was the major constraint in adoption of improved Wheat cultivation in Himachal Pradesh. It contributed to 16.8% non-adoption rate among farmers. Other contributory factors were technological unawareness (13.33%) sloppy land (11.31%), farm input cost (9.41%), non availability of irrigation (8.29%) and lack of inputs (7.95%) (Puran chand et al, 2001).

                  Social Structure and Technology adoption Schedule caste farmers in Maharastra have low level of rice technology adoption. Among 150 such farmers only 12.6% had high adoption rate (Mankar et al,2004). Adoption of production recommendations of Cashew in Maharastra’s Sindhubrug district was 58% (Bhairamkar et al, 2004). Motto of extension programmes should be reach to unreached, teach to un-teached, be known to unknown (Ganesan et al, 2003) (Wani, 1998). Agricultural productivity in Czch Republic increased when information and communication in extension system was improved for small scale farmers (Slavik, 2003).

          A survey conducted among 120 farmers in Karnool district, Andhra Pradesh, India, revealed that education, social participation, scientific orientation, risk management, mass media exposure, economic and market orientation were positively and significantly correlated with the extent of adoption of recommended hybrid jowar (sorghum) seed practices by the farmers. Majority of the farmers (43.33%) had a medium level of the adoption of the recommended practices. (Kumar et al, 2005). It is suggested that five categories of factors determine the adoption of irrigation systems and are the keys to designing relevant, effective and innovative irrigation extension programmes among horticulturalists.

                 The five categories of factors are : Soil type and topography ; crop quality; sowing time; saving water and crop yield (Kaine & Beswell, 2005). We in J&K under SREP Strategic Research extension plan of Districts notice lack of information on sowing time, seed rate and fertilizer application in almost all the crops. Seed treatment awareness helped farmers to combat paddy blast (Wani, 2006, 2007). Innovative Change Methodologies for analysis of farming system, options for development & sustainable eco-friendly farm science technology are the needs of the houhour. We do have subject-matter-specialists, but the agents for evaluating the composite effect of various discipline oriented technology cover is yet to be structured. This is exactly where we should intervene and restructure the discipline, programmes and divisions of extension education in the country. Infact a total change from existing slow action, low innovative, conventional and disintegrated extension system has to be refined into analytic , managemental , social, economical, marketable system, so that the whole technology transfer could be evaluated in terms of productivity and monetory gains per hectare.

                Different cropping and livestock patterns and combinations need to be evaluated & monitored. The impact analysis of wide range of Agricultural technology transfer be it training, entrepreneurship or agri business is needed, both before and after technology application. The available research results have to pierce the farmers farming practices. Non – adoption is the result of our low productivity levels per unit of land. Inspite of tremendous yield gains the per unit profitability has not raised the economic conditions of our farmers.

       Our farm economy still fluctuates between season’s, rainy years and among regions. Now for any widespread gains from technology, it is essential to know its impact and adoptability rate. It is therefore necessary to develop new technologies after considering socio-organizational arrangements, local existing soil, water, human needs and resources. The local skills need to be known and refinement is made to improve profitability. Our experience under IVLP showed a net productivity gains of 2 q/hac in rice production by improving local village driven plough. Similar innovative ideas local technologies with improved or exotic one gave good results in development of profitable farming . (Wani, 2004,2003,

 Suggested References:

Badri-OA; 2001. School of Rural Extension Education and Development, Ahfad University for Women, Omdurman, Sudan. 18:1, 35-50; 20.

Balasubramanian and Thamizoli, 2003, Social differentiation in the horizontal transfer of knowledge: a case study from south India, J.of Agri.Edu.and Extn.2003, 9:2,51-60;3.

 Bharali et al, 2004. Influences of extracellular calcium and iron on membrane sensitivity to bisulphite in the mosses.Jr. of Bryology, vol.26No.1 of March 2004, pp 53-59

Carrasco et al, 2003, Absorbing the shocks: the case of food security, extension and the agricultural knowledge and information system in Haryana, Cuba.Journal of Agri. Edu.Extn. 2003, 9:3,93-102;9.

Davis et al, 2004, Extending technologies among small-scale farmers in Meru, Kenya: ingredients for success in farmer groups.Jol.of Agri.Edu.and Extn.2004;10(2):53-62.

Ganesan et al, 2003,Reaching the unreached: basics of extension education, Tamil Nadu Agri.University, Coimbatore -641 003, India. Reaching the unreached: basics of Extn.Edu. 2003:xii+387.

 Kaine and Beswell, 2005, An innovative approach to irrigation extension in horticulture, Acta –Horticulture.2005; (672): 177-183.

 Khalache and Khaire, 2007, Social-ersonal and socio-economic characteristics of the fig growers and information sources used by them in fig cultivation technology, International J. of Agri.Sci.2007;3(1):258-20.

Kibwana- OT, 2000. Bringing together local and outside knowledge for innovation in land husbandry in Tanzania and Ethopia – a comparative case study. Jr. of Agri. Edu. & Extn. 7:3, 133-1

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About the Author

I.T. job with Universal Studios or Disney?

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