ANOTHER FEATHER IN HIS CAP: M.S. Swaminathan receiving the A.V. Rama Rao Technology Award from J.S. Yadav, Director, Indian Institute of Technology (extreme left), in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Rama Rao, former IICT Director, looks on.

HYDERABAD: Agriculture has a very bright future in the State if the Government can set up rural knowledge centres in every village to spread awareness on agri-economy and water management.

This was stated here on Wednesday by M. S. Swaminathan, Chairman, National Commission on Farmers set up by Agriculture Ministry, while addressing press persons at the

Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) where he delivered the A.V. Rama Rao Technology Lecture on "Beyond green revolution."

The centres, he stressed, should provide demand-driven knowledge and the self-help groups which are active in Andhra Pradesh should play an active role in this task. The centres should adopt bottoms-up approach.

Punjab example

Citing the example of Punjab, which was among the first States to implement free power supply scheme to farmers, Prof. Swaminathan stated that overuse of groundwater had posed problems to ryots in that State.

As a result, agricultural land was being used in Punjab for putting up hotels and real estate. "We cannot afford to do this," he emphasised, as the State was a leading producer of wheat.

In his lecture, the eminent scientist mooted a six-point action plan to ensure hunger-free country. He said the plan should include delivery of nutrition support programmes on a life cycle basis, setting up of food banks for ensuring food security, enhancing small farm productivity, diversification of farming systems by value addition, non-farm employment and enforcing a National Food Guarantee Act.

He observed that the number one challenge facing the country was how to improve productivity of small farm landholdings. Hunger could be eliminated by removing famine of jobs which was cause of food scarcity.

Small farm productivity could be enhanced by bridging the yield gap, he said adding stress should be on improving soil health with special attention on micronutrients.

Water conversation and management, crop health management, farmer-to-farmer learning and pro-poor technologies should be the other areas which needed focus.

He suggested to the State Chief Secretary, Mohan Kanda, who was present, that the Government strive to establish a consortium of educational and research institutes for giving a boost to agriculture in the State.

Award presented

Later, Dr. Rama Rao, who was the director of IICT for about ten years, presented the first A.V. Rama Rao Technology Award to Prof. Swaminathan.

The award, which carries a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh, is conferred on an eminent scientist/technologist,who has contributed immensely to the national goals.

J. S. Yadav, Director of IICT, who presided, said the A. V. Rama Rao Technology lecture would be delivered every year on National Technology Day.

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