The Hindu Business Line : Concern over marginalisation of small farmers

Prof. M.S.Swaminathan, Chairman, M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, releasing the book titled "Agricultural Growth, Farm Size and rural Poverty Alleviation" authored by Prof. Ch. Hanumantha Rao in the Capital. — Ramesh Sharma

New Delhi , Sept 21

EMINENT Agriculture expert, Dr M.S. Swaminathan, has expressed concern over increasing "marginalisation" of small farmers, saying that they were becoming resource poor and were being trapped by hunger, malnutrition and poverty.

While recalling the 1960-70s when high growth of agriculture had helped in reducing poverty in villages, he said: "Unfortunately, we have lost that momentum and villages inhabited by small and marginal farmers are becoming resource-poor and being trapped by hunger, malnutrition and poverty."

Dr Swaminathan was speaking at the release of a book on "Agricultural growth, farm size and rural poverty alleviation in India", authored by Prof Ch. Hanumantha Rao, here.

Besides this, the increasing inequality within the country could threaten the pace of development and efficiency, he warned. The agriculture sector growth had come down to 1.1 per cent and pulled down the GDP to 6.9 per cent last year, he added.

He was, however, hopeful that villagers would benefit from the recently-enacted Employment Guarantee Act.

Prof Rao asserted that only enhancing public and private investment in this sector and pumping in funds for developing rural infrastructure at a larger scale could salvage the deteriorating situation in rural India.

The Planning Commission Member, Prof Abhijit Sen, pointed out various options before the Government to increase agricultural growth and alleviate poverty. "Should we subsidise agriculture and rural sector as is being done by developed countries, or develop the services for rural sector? Or, should we reduce dependence on agriculture from the present 60 per cent to one third or one-fourth," asked Prof Sen.

These were questions we need to answer soon, he pointed out.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
ICAR identifies barley, 7 wheat strains for various regions

A bitter-sweet season ahead

Rubber stocks continue to rule low

Moderate rise in rubber prices

Tea tasting competition showcases S. India's capability

Cotton Corpn makes record purchases

Concern over marginalisation of small farmers