I want to brain storm a subject that has created interests in many individuals, institution and perhaps the Government too. Let me add that I am very passionate on this topic too. It is about the continuing plight of small and marginal farmers in India.
A lot of progress has been made since Independence but the profession of small and marginal farmers stays where it was and perhaps retrograded. They survive in penury. Suicides are rampant. They are misguided on Land Reforms that Government is trying to bring in to usher speedy Industrialisation and overall growth. Corruption has not let them unscathed. All these sometimes suggest whether one is blind in the maze of the development frenzy storey of India.
Open the web sites on the subject of farmer's plight and you will find hundreds of agencies working on them for long years. Yet I am unable to fathom as to why it is not emancipating the farmers who are producing food for us. World Bank and several private and large institutions like Melinda Gates Foundation, Acumen Funds, Digital Green and e-Agriculture to name a few are working relentlessly on this subject for many years. Enormous funds are committed to this 'find'. Yet nothing seems to be moving to make a difference to the dungeon life farmers are leading. Many MNCs and Indian corporates make all kinds of innovation with respect to implements, seeds/fertilizers, farm implements, solar equipments, drip irrigation, and so on. Techniques from foreign countries are brought by large corporates and many Indian big corporate houses are in the farming sector. Yet no difference, to write home about. So it would seem that we barking the wrong tree? Is this so? We as a nation have made many advancement in almost all fields and the GDP growth is inching ahead. The stock markets are resonating making millions richer every passing day. Is this not more paradoxical? Is this called 'inclusive growth' Government often talks about. I dare agree to this comment.How are we an inclusive society when 75% of our population who are small and marginal farmers are dying in penury?
I look forward to listen from like minded Indians.
A lot of progress has been made since Independence but the profession of small and marginal farmers stays where it was and perhaps retrograded. They survive in penury. Suicides are rampant. They are misguided on Land Reforms that Government is trying to bring in to usher speedy Industrialisation and overall growth. Corruption has not let them unscathed. All these sometimes suggest whether one is blind in the maze of the development frenzy storey of India.
Open the web sites on the subject of farmer's plight and you will find hundreds of agencies working on them for long years. Yet I am unable to fathom as to why it is not emancipating the farmers who are producing food for us. World Bank and several private and large institutions like Melinda Gates Foundation, Acumen Funds, Digital Green and e-Agriculture to name a few are working relentlessly on this subject for many years. Enormous funds are committed to this 'find'. Yet nothing seems to be moving to make a difference to the dungeon life farmers are leading. Many MNCs and Indian corporates make all kinds of innovation with respect to implements, seeds/fertilizers, farm implements, solar equipments, drip irrigation, and so on. Techniques from foreign countries are brought by large corporates and many Indian big corporate houses are in the farming sector. Yet no difference, to write home about. So it would seem that we barking the wrong tree? Is this so? We as a nation have made many advancement in almost all fields and the GDP growth is inching ahead. The stock markets are resonating making millions richer every passing day. Is this not more paradoxical? Is this called 'inclusive growth' Government often talks about. I dare agree to this comment.How are we an inclusive society when 75% of our population who are small and marginal farmers are dying in penury?
I look forward to listen from like minded Indians.
Dear Raghavan,
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this wonderful article bringing out one of the most important areas where our nation has to urgently join hands and make amends at the earliest to keep the dignity and security of our food providers. But I am sorry to say that your article is not putting forth any positive suggestion. It is understood that the farmer's plight is in a pitiable state.1. Next let us line up the basic needs of every farmer and see how we can ensure that this is provided around the year? 2. Next is the choice of crop, including multiple crops to ensure profit. 3. Utilizing and recycling the wastes, 4. Irrigation system, improved planting plans to get better efficiency. 5. National Plan, State Plan and finally village planning.If you have worked for so many years, you did not even tell us what you have studied in so many years?
It looks like you are giving a call to big organizations to take up such projects. Do you have any plan proposals? It could be a plan just for a village, a state or country. Spell it out. I too have so many ideas, particularly for an organic farm. Let us talk and may be there will be others, who might join.