Can we have an Organised Sustainable Agriculture System that can Ensure Food Security in Over Populated India? An Overview

Abstract

P. R. Reddy

Agriculture practices vary from place to place. Even concepts and methodologies need to be changed, taking in to consideration a region`s ecosystem peculiarities and socio-economic aspects. From time to time decisions are taken by the concerned focusing on the problem on hand, ignoring or not worrying about repercussions of any decisions taken to overcome the problem on hand. At a later stage when setbacks of significant nature crop up critics pounce on the decisions taken earlier, forgetting decisions and execution mechanisms do change with time and our focus should be to take steps that can improve the situation, instead of wasting our energies in finding reasons for spilled milk.

Green Revolution was hailed in India for bailing us out of a tricky situation in 1960s and 1970s.In the process the introduction of chemical fertilizers, chemical pesticides led to deterioration of soil fertility and overall environmental degradation. While there is a definite necessity to improve our soil fertility and proper usage of depleted water resources, it is essential to take up any steps that can help India as a single entity and not a disjointed forty and odd independent segments. Stringent measures are needed to ensure proper Food Grain production and distribution, eliminating various bottlenecks. This aspect is detailed explicitly in the present article. \

]Food Security, in its real sense, can be achieved only when affordable nutritious food is available to one and all. If mal nutrition continues to exist India cannot achieve sustainable Food Security. India needs to address this basic aspect in a focused way. At the same time it has to be vigilant in meeting World Trade Organisation (WTO) requisites to overcome unpleasant criticism by WTO fellow members. A detailed overview of this aspect along with steps needed to overcome bottle necks using viable area specific low cost technology is covered in this article.

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