Equip Farmers to Tackle Climate Change Challenges

Excerpts from the Editorial in The New Indian Express Feb 8, 2012 Rain fed agriculture is practised on 80% of cultivable land around the world. The rain patterns are not as dependable as before and it is necessary that the farmers do not depend too much on rains. Even other sources of irrigation have limitations - ground water too is depleting. It is time thought is given to climate-resilient agriculture. For instance cultivation of rice requires plenty of water, yet farmers in Punjab and Haryana prefer to grow rice. It would make sense for them to shift to other crops that are less water dependent. Cash crops can be a good option. Bio-fuel plants can also be tried out. There is a need for afforestation drives, since loss of green cover is a factor contributing to global warming. Indian farmers, majority of them may be uneducated, but are not averse to adapting modern technologies that can make cultivation profitable. Even in the 60s and 70s they shifted to high yielding varieties when awareness was created by scientists and the government. A new green revolution is required to increase crop yield and reduce the dependence of farmers on water. They need to be weaned away from traditional styles of cultivation. And this can be possible only with farmers' education, strong political will, bureaucratic support and technological back up.