THE HINDU: Agriculture can’t remain the same, says FAO official
With rapid soil degradation, fast depletion of groundwater, excessive use of pesticides-fertilizers and extreme weather events all collectively putting stress on farming and forestry, it is time to recognise the fact that agriculture cannot remain the same, either in India or across the globe.
This was pointed out by Kundhavi Kadiresan, Assistant Director-General of the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, while speaking to The Hindu on the FAO’s focus areas in the region and India’s role in it.
At a critical juncture when population is increasing and there are more mouths to feed, it is important that better practices are adopted with an agro-ecological approach, Ms. Kadiresan, an Indian national, said.
“I think researchers are doing a good job in developing new technologies, but transferring these technologies to farmers should be our focus. Scientists do research from their perspective, but it is the farmers’ perspective that should be kept in mind while researching on agri-forestry issues. Farmers themselves are scientists…they know how to take care of soil, natural water resources — the need is to work with them in their fields to strengthen integration between research, extension and farmers. Farmer-centric approach is key to the success of climate smart agriculture and FAO is focused towards its realisation.”
Elaborating on elimination of hunger and malnutrition in India, Ms. Kadiresan said the country has continued to develop the expertise, knowledge and capacity to win this war.
“But, having said this, I must reiterate that we still have a Herculean task before us — even now, there are over 800 million hungry people across the globe and nearly one in four of them live in India. With these startling numbers we cannot say that India has achieved food sufficiency. At FAO, we aim for zero hunger and it will certainly be my endeavour during this tenure to put an end to malnutrition and hunger and enhance food security,” she said.
Ms. Kadiresan said it is not just producing more food but access to food and its best utilisation that needs attention. “Just because you have more food doesn’t necessarily mean everybody has access to it. More than 30 per cent people in this country are poor and close to 200 million are in a state of hunger.”
A balanced diet is important and FAO will actively spread awareness in India, especially among women and children regarding adoption of diversity in diet to reduce malnutrition, she said.
Ms. Kadiresan also stressed on speeding up efforts to increase yield of many crops in India as it was very low on the global level.
“The government should encourage crop diversification. Policies should be drafted keeping in mind long-term solutions for ensuring food security. It’s important to realise that we have limited natural resources and hence, policies should be framed to ensure that everyone resorts to rational use of these resources. Only then will we be able to achieve food security with sustainable development in India and around the world.”