Second Green Revolution

Indian economy was agrarian in nature when the first five year plan was drafted and taken up for execution. Luckily due to the scientific development of late 1960s wheat productivity multiplied substantially in countries like Mexico, thanks to Dr.Norman Borlaug and his team of scientists. In India too, green revolution took place around 1970 and we became self sufficient in foodgrains. Unfortunately the green revolution enabled the rich and large farmers to retain their status and increase the production of wheat and rice whereas the small and marginal farmers continued to get neglected till date. The country is still awaiting the onset of a second green revolution. Such an expectation can be converted into reality provided the following steps are taken earnestly.

1) A genuinely interested person who is richly experienced in Indian farming practices should become the Union Minister of Agriculture & Co-operation in New Delhi.

2) A thorough review of the existing programmes and projects undertaken by the Departments / Sub-ordinate Offices / Agencies working under the control and guidance of Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operation, Ministry of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer affairs should be done to justify reduction in their strength and budgeted outlays.

3) Paying full attention to the specific problems of the majority of farming community viz., small and marginal farmers in different states of the country.

4) Adequate investment both in Public and Private Sectors for interlinking of major rivers, requisite and timely expansion of the existing canal work in almost all major and medium irrigation projects so that national irrigation percentage is pushed up to 75%.

5) Making adequate provision for supply of inputs like quality and certified seeds, both organic manure and inorganic fertilisers, both short term and medium term credit from various financial institutions to the fullest extent.

6) Framing realistic policies for improving the capacity of food processing industry as also storage and marketing of processed food.