The Hindu : National : Buddhadeb warns against genetic slavery

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Monday, Aug 08, 2005

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Buddhadeb warns against genetic slavery

Special Correspondent

New trade and patent regime seen to be curbing the rights of peasants

CONCERNS ON FARM FRONT: Chief Minister of West Bengal Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee (right) releasing the annual report of the fifteenth foundation day programme of the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) in Chennai on Sunday, in the presence of Prof. M.S. Swaminathan (centre), Chairman, MSSRF and R.M. Lala, former director, Sir Dorabji Tata Trust. — Photo: Shaju John

CHENNAI: West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said on Sunday that some of the prescriptions of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) relating to land use, cropping pattern and the future of self-sufficiency in food had serious implications.

Shortly after releasing the 15th annual report of the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSSRF) at a function here, he said, "the new trade and patent regime curbs the rights of peasants and threatens to take the country from biodiversity to genetic slavery."

Water crisis

The neglect of water management, the policy of privatising water resources and the unresolved inter-State water disputes had aggravated water-related problems, he said, stressing the need for strengthening the PDS to meet the requirements of the people, particularly those below the poverty line.

The per capita food grain availability in the country had come down steeply during 2000-2003 and the annual rate of growth of rural employment and agricultural production had also not been encouraging. Though the rural development expenditure in the Eighth Plan period was 14 per cent of GDP, it declined to around five per cent subsequently, he pointed out.

Withdrawal of subsidies on a number of inputs, rise in the costs of seeds, irrigation and electricity and marked fall in bank lending had compelled peasants in several parts of the country to borrow money at high interest rates from moneylenders, Mr. Bhattacharjee said. He cautioned against attempts to dilute land reform laws and handing over of acquired agricultural land to corporate bodies including multinational companies for cultivation of commercial crops.

Despite achieving a total food grain production of 150 lakh tonnes last year, the Left Front Government in West Bengal had taken steps to improve conditions at 4,612 poorest of the poor villages in the State, he added.

Rice park

Mr. Bhattacharjee promised full cooperation to the MSSRF in setting up a rice park in West Bengal. He also welcomed the Centre's decision to launch the National Horticulture Mission mooted by Dr. M.S. Swaminathan. He sought the advice of the MSSRF to promote eco-tourism in the Sundarban region.

The 12th Finance Commission had granted Rs.100 crores for development of the region, he said.

Dr. Swaminathan, in his closing remarks said that the mid-Plan appraisal of the Planning Commission had indicated that India was off the track in achieving the United Nation's Millennium Goals, including ending hunger. "It is a matter of serious political and public policy concern."

Responding to some issues raised by Mr. Bhattacharjee, he stressed the urgent need for shifting lakhs of people in the rural areas from farm to non-farm employment as successfully experimented in China.

Commending the West Bengal Government for implementing radical land reform, besides making the Panchayati Raj institutions dynamic, he said efforts to promote eco-tourism in the Sundarbans or allowing foreign direct investment in the retail market of the agricultural sector should be designed in such a way as to enhance employment. The farmers should be properly guided in the horticulture sector to avoid distress sale of products, he said.

Distress in villages

N.Ram, the Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu, referred to concerns raised by reputed economists on the acute distress in the rural areas. They had cautioned that the situation was bound to turn to turmoil if the deep crisis was not addressed immediately. The economists had also favoured a universal employment guarantee and a universal PDS, he pointed out. Dr. Swaminathan was tremendously concerned and disturbed at the "failure to debate the phenomenon of jobless growth in India," Mr. Ram said.

R.M. Lala, former Director, Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, paid tributes to Dr. Swaminathan and the experts of the MSSRF for their efforts to make technology accessible to the people, besides improving their living conditions.

Dr. M. Velayutham, Executive Director, MSSRF, highlighted the achievements of the foundation during the last 15 years.

A film on MSSRF titled, "15 years...15 steps... Towards Hunger-Free India" was screened.

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