We have seen how media support for Anna Hazare has given him wide coverage and therefore created a major interest in the movement. The power of the media is immense. In his book From Green to Evergreen Revolution, M.S Swaminathan emphasises the need for media to actively participate in revitalising the agriculture movement in India.
He feels that the Green Revolution was largely due to the involvement of the print media and All India Radio creating an enormous enthusiasm among farm families on opportunity created by the semi-dwarf varieties of wheat and rice to increase yield and income substantially. The reports were as a result of visits of experienced journalists to Agri Research Centres and the Agricultural Universities. Media Reports led to widespread demand for seeds of new strains and coupled with the reigns of the Agriculture Ministry in the hands of the capable Minister C Subramaniam, it led to timely public policy decisions.
The media also helped to convert a small government programme – High Yielding Varieties Programme into a mass movement.
It is now 40 years since the successful Green Revolution. The PM talks of a desire for the second revolution. The media however has not discussed why this is not happening. While financial markets are given wide coverage, the agriculture sector is being ignored.
Responsible journalism can highlight the problems of the agri sector and thus bring about a change.
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