The bane of extreme poverty is extreme malnutrition and consequently reduced productivity and earning capacity. Hence, efforts to increase food and nutrition security at individual, household and village ( local) level by leveraging agriculture to nutrition will also impact productivity and poverty.
To stimulate the debate, we would be grateful if you could share your experience and views on the questions below:
- Under what conditions can agriculture succeed in lifting people out of extreme poverty? Particularly those households with limited access to productive resources.
Agriculture is one of the most dangerous professions. The farmer is damned if he produces less and damned if he produces more resulting in glut and price crash. More emphasis on research on making farming resource- efficient and strong technological support to the famers in terms of planning cropping pattern, use of resources, and technological intervention etc along with behavioural change communication are needed to maximise output input ratio. The difference in productivity of China Vs India is a case in point.
Promotion of alternative livestock and forest-based activities, besides artisanal and other skills among those with limited access to productive resource is very necessary..
- What is the role of ensuring more sustainable natural resource management in supporting the eradication of extreme poverty?
Efficient natural resource management is extremely important to ensure cost-effective production. This involves innovative research and technology transfer
- Can those without the opportunities to pursue agricultural production and to access resources such as fish, forests and livestock find pathways out of extreme poverty through these sectors?
Development of non-farm skills like, handicraft and artisanal skills can be very helpful in employment generation. There is considerable demand but paucity of skilled artisans in rural as well as urban areas.
- What set of policies are necessary to address issues connecting food security and extreme poverty eradication in rural areas?
- With almost 50% of the population dependent on agriculture for livelihood, its importance should be recognised while making budgetary allocations
- Importance of agriculture for food and nutrition security besides income and export should be realised. Agriculture should be nutritionally sensitive besides being environmentally sustainable. This needs change of mindset and research orientation, and technology transfer.
- While free water and power result in wastage some support in terms of crop insurance is needed as safety net. Some subsidy in terms of fertilisers and pesticides, drip irrigation etc may be needed with proper guidance about their use and administrative efficiency.
- There should be a mechanism for continuing education of extension workers to update their knowledge and skills. This will facilitate more effective technology transfer through extension workers who interact with the farmers
- Governments should not be misled by misguided opposition to technologies like GM crops. Health and environmental safety can be ensured through appropriate legislation. At least field trials should be allowed.
- Agriculture cannot be profitable if there is 30-40% wastage of farm produce in India. Proper storage, cold chain and food processing should receive high priority. Food processing can also generate employment.
- To make agriculture more scientific, youth should be trained through setting up of Agriculture training institutes.
- Can you share any examples of experiences that succeeded in reducing (or eradicating) extreme poverty through an agricultural pathway?
For the past several years we have been working towards leveraging agriculture for nutrition security, while being mindful of better environment. We (The Dangoria Charitable Trust, Hyderabad, India) are promoting crop diversification from water guzzling crops like paddy and sugar cane to cultivation of micronutrient-rich, vegetables and fruits, millets and legumes in villages of the Medak district of the state of Telangana in India . This approach would improve dietary access to micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) which are deficient in Indian diets (hidden hunger), besides saving water. While we do not go totally organic, we are introducing green methods of farming like vermicomposting, botanical pesticides and methods of water conservation. We have also introduced backyard poultry with high egg –yielding birds.
Household diet surveys show that while homestead (near the home or in the farm) gardening increases the frequency and per capita quantity of consumption of green leafy vegetables; despite nutrition education, 25-50% of other vegetables are sold. Home-grown vegetables have replaced what was purchased from the market. As we have said in one of our publications “Economic compulsion outweighs nutritional wisdom”. However, homestead gardening does protect against reduction in vegetables consumption due to high market price. Back-yard poultry with high egg yielding breeds significantly increases household egg consumption. Esp since only few birds are given. Families buy 3 birds and one male or female bird is given free as incentive.
Combination of strategies to reduce the input cost with greater productivity of agriculture, and alternative livelihood opportunities through skill development are very important.
Dr. Mahtab S.Bamji