Telangana aims to
be Seed Bowl of India
Vanam Jwala
Narasimha Rao
The Hans India (11-10-2015)
Gone those days
when many farmers used to set apart a portion of their agriculture product
normally grown in an exclusive piece of land to be used as seed for the
following year. These farmers were selling on affordable price to others mostly
in their village and some times in the neighboring villages. Thus each village
was self sufficient in that aspect then. As far as paddy cultivation is
concerned some farmers with surplus land holdings used to develop seedlings and
sell them to others at the time of plantation, also on affordable price.
Unfortunately over a period the system has been discontinued and in its place
farmers have been propelled to buy seeds from agencies. Olden day’s practice of
growing seeds for their needs by farmers has been totally abandoned. Slowly
this has become a monopoly business in the country and several states and with
the growth of business some of the agencies indulged in sale of spurious seeds
also. The change over, over a period, resulted in both bad and good effects. Now
the question is how do we convert this scenario totally to the advantage of the
state and make Telangana the seed bowl of India? Seeds are a critical and basic input for enhancing agricultural
production and productivity in different agro-climatic regions. Indian seed
programme largely adheres to the limited generation system for seed
multiplication.
Chief Minister K.
Chandrashekhar Rao in a meeting with Seed Company representatives held at
Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agriculture University on 5th
October 2015 dealing with the subject told them to adopt one village in each of
the 95 Rural Assembly Segments to develop seeds. He said the Government will
extend full support to them in all aspects. Against this background CM also
briefly detailed the genesis of this idea which had its origin during the
agitation for separate Telangana State. At that time the then leader of the movement
and now Chief Minister of the state had several meetings among persons drawn
from different fields on the future course of action once Telangana State is
formed including the issue of seeds.
Agriculture
University, once an abode for research activity, has almost done away with
that. Department of Agriculture has done away with extension work and its main
concentration is on distribution of fertilizers and pesticides. No agronomist
is found in the state. Both the department and university needs to regain their
past glory. A state that has excellent opportunities is totally neglected in
the erstwhile rule. Farmer is naturally depressed and farming has collapsed.
Despite this there
has been tremendous seed development in the state. As against 438 rural mandals
there are about 364 seed companies. About more than a Crore Acres of land is
available for cultivation including seed development. Telangana shall have to
be divided into different crop colonies to analyze and assess the type of crop
that could be grown there. It could be done district wise and mandal wise. In
all the lands soil testing has to be done.
There is a need to
assess the domestic consumption of various agricultural products and the land
required for that. It will be a good
idea if rest of the land is made use for seed development. Ultimately in the
field of agriculture the overall productivity has to be improved. For enabling
this Government decided to allot one agronomist for every 5000 acres of land
who will be thoroughly trained and equipped with all latest knowledge in
farming techniques to help farmer in all aspects. CM said that the whole world
is looking towards Telangana for supply of seeds and to grab the opportunity Telangana
should make a fresh beginning. In many countries it is difficult to grow seed.
By identifying such countries wherever there is a need, Telangana may do seed export.
A strategy has to be drawn to develop seed production in the state so that
entire country’s need could be met from here. An estimation of the extent of
land where seed production could be taken up has to be made. A strategy also
has to be drawn as to how farmer could be encouraged for seed production
educating him about its profitability. The present area of seed growing land of
2 Lakhs 90 acres could be further expanded.
Agriculture is the
main stay of the Telangana State and the Government is determined to develop
and improve this sector. The state predominantly consists of small and marginal
farmers. Seed input is an important catalyst for the development of
agriculture. Availability of quality seed is the foundation for enhancing
productivity and hence need for quality seed production. Seed production in the
state has unmatched quality compared to any other state owing to several
factors like favorable climate, diverse soils, facilities for seed storage,
geographical advantage, enthusiastic famer etc. Major crops involved in seed
production in the state are rice, maize, Bt Cotton, pulses, millets and
oilseeds. At present seed production is mainly concentrated and confined in the
districts of Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Mahaboobnagar and Warangal.
In addition to
this one must give a thought to start farming organizations to benefit farmers
which as of now is an unorganized sector. Their problems are varied and differ
from others. For example farmers are used to grow a crop which normally yields
a better price in a particular year. When they grow it the prices go down
steeply the next year resulting in heavy losses to the farmer. If this happens
on a continuous basis agriculture community suffers. How to overcome this? How
to educate a farmer? If farming is to be made profitable what has to be done?
Can we think of district wise or mandal wise or revenue division wise units for
growing a particular crop? There are certain crops which are grown more than
the requirement and hence there may not be sufficient market for them. How do
we regularize cropping pattern? It is also desirable to apportion a particular
Zone or Unit exclusively for growing vegetables and so also for other crops.
A study may also
be undertaken either by University or by Department to suggest Telangana farmer
to go for a particular crop that is in shortage and not possible to grow in
neighboring states. Thought should also be given to increase production by
using micro nutrients. Concept of self supported villages is also to be
developed.
It is time that University and Department sits together and evolves a
comprehensive strategy in tune with the social transformation and technological
developments so that the agricultural community will not go in to depression
and instead flourishes in future. End
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