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EDITORIAL President K R Narayanan's seven day state visit to China has to be viewed from several angles. First, China continue to assert itself as a nation that accepts neither Russian nor American hegemony howsoever remote. It is opening up in a big way into exclusive preserves of others like President Zemin's visit to some countries in the Gulf region which incidentally also included ....more Celebration of World Environment Day is confined to usual rituals of giving large advertisements in papers and messages from the big-wigs that rule the roost. In practice, nothing substantial is done to keep the environs clean to make the life more beautiful with ideal surroundings. Mother Nature continues .....more |
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Kashmir: Have we By Major Kulbir Singh Temples dying in Pakistan Dryland farming : |
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EDITORIAL President K R Narayanan's seven day state visit to China has to be viewed from several angles. First, China continue to assert itself as a nation that accepts neither Russian nor American hegemony howsoever remote. It is opening up in a big way into exclusive preserves of others like President Zemin's visit to some countries in the Gulf region which incidentally also included Israel. That is on the foreign policy level where China continues to build bridges and befriend countries that have been invariably on the agenda of America in particular. Desire for closer relations with India is thus in tune with China's outward thrust. Second, it is true that during talks with President China did not rake up the issue of India's nuclear weaponisation programme. This was misconstrued by media and political circles in this country as China acquiescing with our nuclearisation programmes. Chinese spokesman was however quick to refute this interpretation and firmly stated that its policy on this score remains in place and it continues to seek implementation of UN Security Council Resolution that had asked India to roll back its nuclear programme and sign CTBT. If they have not discussed during President's visit it is precisely attributed to keep aside issues on which both countries differ while going ahead in fields where wide convergence already exists. This clearly shows that unlike other permanent members of the Security Council like France, USA, Great Britain and Russia, the Dragon is in no mood to be soft on this issue. To that extent its opposition to nuclear India remains in place. Third aspect relates to Indo-Pak relations vis-a-vis terrorism sponsored by Pakistan in Jammu & Kashmir and desire for closer ties as manifested by initiation of Lahore process by India but sabotaged by Pakistan. As per reports China cold shouldered such Indian concerns and did not encourage any discussion on this topic. This is proof enough that China values its military and economic relations with Pakistan and is in no mood to criticise Pakistan even remotely for sponsoring terrorism. Cooperation on global terrorism is quite another thing but nothing like Pak-specific although Pakistan happens to be the mother of all terrorism. This means both nuclear technology and missile supplies continue unabated to Pakistan. This also confirms that China under no circumstances wants to loosen its hold in the sub-continent and in the process yield place to America, a proposition which is loathsome thought for the Chinese rulers. So our relations shall have to be independent of China-Pak special relations. Strategically, China has already flanked India by its proteges i.e. nuclear Pakistan and hostile Myanmar (Burma) where China is building some bases. Fourth point that needs mention relates to the boundry dispute between the two countries. It may be recalled that borders were frozen and it was agreed to constitute Joint Working Group to discuss and settle the issue through dialogue. In other words borders were frozen. China has nothing to lose if they remain in cold-storage for the very simple reason that it illegally occupies 38000 sq km areas in Aksai Chin (Ladakh). In addition, Pakistan has ceded 5180 sq km to China from the northern regions in Baltistan/Gilgit /Skardu. China also claims entire NEFA area and Sikkim and refuses to recognise Macmohan Line as colonial legacy. It is India whose territory is under Chinese occupation. It may be mentioned that ever since freezing borders JWG has held 12 meetings and yielded nothing. It is in this context that China has agreed to expedite delineation of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). This shows that even LAC remains disputed. So resolving of border dispute is a distant cry. The only silver lining is that Sino-Indian borders are quiet. They will remain as such until China gains the super-power status which it hopes to attain by the year 2010. Until that time it would also keep annexation of Taiwan by force in abeyance making only frequent noises and nothing else. Fifth aspect is visible in refusing to support India's candidature for UN Security Council seat in the ensuing expansion of the Council. China feels that this point needs to be debated and representative from Asia should be by maximum consensus. This is in typical contrast to what India did in 1954-55 when it refused to occupy Security Council seat offered on a platter when Nehru stated. "Unless our elder brother gets it, India has no right to be there". It was one of the Himalyan blunders of the Nehruvian era. It clearly shows that China is disinclined to favour India on this score unlike Russia, France and Great Britain even as USA is inclined to favour such membership for India. As regards economic cooperation and giving boost to two-way trade, there is but one field in which China is interested i.e. software field where India has excelled whence Indian software exports are slated to touch 50 billion dollars by the year 2008. Thus, China recognises India in terms of superiority only in the Information Technology field and in all other areas it considers cooperation of no consequence. It is safe to surmise that China is on its own to catapult the nation to present dizzy heights. It talks from position of strength. It became independent in 1949 while India is senior by two years. It has forced the one-child norm to check the buregeoning population. It has developed nuclear and missile systems so much so that many ICBMS located in Tibet directly targets American cities and of course IRBMs Indian cities. It has drifted from Marxist ideology as regards economy but retained the dictatorship to make the country strong which shows frlexibility once it comes to national interests. India has to emulate China where the latter excels just as China is prepared to ‘cooperate’ only in IT field. President's visit should make India wiser. Celebration of World Environment Day is confined to usual rituals of giving large advertisements in papers and messages from the big-wigs that rule the roost. In practice, nothing substantial is done to keep the environs clean to make the life more beautiful with ideal surroundings. Mother Nature continues to be plundered recklessly with rapid denudation of forests. For cleaner and greener future for a better world there has got to be check on tree felling, plantation drive must get accelerated, our traditional jute and cloth bags must replace the polluting plastic bags, all vehicles should be made to comply wity anti-pollution norms besides encouraging use of environmental friendly fuel both for vehicles as also for domestic needs. Throwing of garbage into sewerage and drains has assumed menacing proportions and needs to be checked both voluntarily and officially. Discharge of effluents and dangerous chemical into rivers goes on indiscriminately despite punitive laws. The password is to sleep over all the evils and pollutants that disrupt natural life. State Governments do not apply the laws rigidly due to rampant corruption. It is to be recorded that Apex Court has ordered replacement of old vehicles that recklessly violate emission norms in the national capital. It is the court that has ordered shifting of hazardous units from populated residential areas to the outskirts. These are Courts that compel recalcitrant governments to stop effuents flowing into rivers thereby disturbing ecological balance. Individual conscience and concerted thrust by NGOs and Government agencies can indeed help clean and green life. |
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Kashmir: Have we lost direction? By Major Kulbir Singh We did make an effort to fine tilth before sowing the seeds for achieving peace, but soon mushroomed the variegated cream, and green leaves of many ornamental ivies, but all poisonous ones. Now we are again drilling, but what will germinate, eventually, we don't know? Though most will disagree, but its a fact. As far as Kashmir is concerned, we are sure have lost direction. This does not mean that previously we were following a concrete one at the first instance. Today as the things stand, it looks very clear, concise and precise that USA is calling the shots. More and more it is beginning to emerge, that we are playing a second fiddle to it, especially so on Kashmir issue, and chances are pretty high that we may well end up as being desperate stooges to the power giant from west. Though economically, we are shaping into a major force; in info-tech field, we are miles ahead of others; in slick and savvy universal beauty pageants, we rule the roost and militarily we are a bludgeoning force to reckon with, but where we lost, we know it all too well and "Kashmir" is where the index finger straight away goes. US Under Secretary for Political Affairs, Mr Thomas Pickering was on a visit to New Delhi and obviously the visit had to do something with the ongoing volatile scenario in South East Asia. The line being followed was the same, which Bill Clinton had drawn, "calming the conflict in Kashmir" which included improvement in the human rights situation, engaging segments of political opinion other than Hurriyat and the great expectation of Pakistan making its own contribution to peace on Kashmir by reducing the level of violence. Thereafter, Mr Pickering crossed over to meet the Pak General and a joint press conference said that USA remained engaged with Pakistan and was facilitating in the reduction of tensions along the LoC and in Kashmir. The Pak General very candidly said that what Kashmir was witnessing was not terrorism but a people's uprising. Its the United States which in a very probing and skillful way is playing a role and clearly the US interests dominate Delhi in more than one way. The USA has been active in sending envoys and officials to the Valley. The Government is a silent spectator allowing Washington to facilitate a dialogue with its own people. Perhaps people in South Block are either clueless, or may be, they know every thing and yet are silent. There is something on for sure, a dangerous game plan, but the rest of India is in complete darkness and the people of Jammu and Kashmir continue to remain as zombies and watch the times change hurriedly into yet another brutal tomorrow. The Chief Executive of Pakistan continues to emphasize the centrality of the Kashmir issue. The USA though has prevailed upon Pakistan to keep its hands off terrorism, yet there is nothing to believe that Pakistan has done anything worthwhile. The USA is romancing the style which is so predominantly the American. It is pressing Pakistan to take the "First tangible step for which the General has shown no intent. Meanwhile, India too remains arrogant and obstinate. Its the question of endurance on dialogue issue. Going by the General's latest statements, it only means that the stage for a serious substantive bid for reconciliation is getting pushed farther and farther away. Back home, New Delhi has its own set of problems. To release Hurriyat leaders was a step, perhaps in the right direction. Another leap was involving the leaders in exile to revive some sort of political process. The Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah has his own view point and may be right in his own prespective. But where is the guarantee that he would not act as a spoiler if New Delhi decides to force its way through? So nothing much has changed except for the language. Same things are said against and again, with hummable lyrics being the same and the tunes changing. Far too, many musicians are vying for the top slot, but sadly the notes are monotonous and tiresome. The hopes of the people, their long cherished desire of a peaceful night's sleep still remain a distant dream. |
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Dryland farming : New
initiatives needed Indian agriculture has placed a high degree of reliance on rainfed or dryland farming for its growth and sustenance. Over the years, new methods were tried to accelerate the pace of farm production. Many areas still remain to be taken care of. Of India's total land area of 305 million hectares, nearly 68 million hectares are covered by forests and 143 million hectares are under cultivation. Of the latter, 92 million hectare is under dryland farming, also called rainfed cultivation. Of the total cultivated land, 123 million hectares are for foodgrains and the rest for plantations and non-traditional crops. About 25 per cent of the net cultivated area has the benefit of irrigation, of which barely 24 per cent is utilised for sowing more than once a year. Of the total farming population, around 70 per cent are involved in dryland farming in the country. Obviously, this large size of farming population should get priority in any comprehensive agricultural policy that the government formulates. Dryland farming, where rain is the only source of water, account for 75 per cent of the cultivated area in India. It contributes only about 42 per cent of the foodgrains produced. This is primarily because this form of cultivation has not been accorded the level of priority it deserves, either by agricultural scientists or by the government. Hence, an understanding of rainfall patterns and land characteristics is crucial to optimising use of available water for dryland areas. Apart from rainfall, the other important elements are moisture availability to crops and chemical composition of soil. Since scientific dryland farming aims at appropriate treatment of land for conservation of moisture, priority needs to be given to proper water and land management. The technology for such farming involves crop rotation and adoption of varieties of seeds and practices adjusted to the moisture regimes of an agro-climatically homogenous area. More specifically, it consists of making the best use of a limited water supply by storing in the soil as much rain water as possible and growing suitable crops by methods that make the best use of the moisture. In India's context, to sustain an estimated population of one billion, the proportion of foodgrains output from dryland will have to go up to 60 per cent from the present level. Implicit in this is the fact that there will be no great improvement in irrigation and the availability of irrigation in the immediate future. Significantly, in recent years the few dryland projects sponsored by the Central Government have yielded encouraging results. Schemes to popularise the use of seeds of improved varieties, fertiliser drills and plant protection measures were recently launched. It is also true that while the required knowledge and methodology for dryland farming are available in the country, these have not reached the farmer at the grassroots level. This is because of the lack of extension services in the states. The State Governments have not shown much interest in promoting dryland farming, which they seem to consider as the exclusive responsibility of the Centre. Rainfed farming represents arid, semi-arid and wet lands. Area with rainfall up to 500 mm, where livestock can be raised, grasses and fodder can be grown and dryland horticulture can be practised are called 'arid'. The semi-arid land has rainfall between 500 and 1100 mm and common crops can be grown there with irrigation support. The wetlands have rainfall over 1100 mm. There the crops are grown along with management of deep water or water-logged area. The rainfed areas are mostly inhabited by farmers with poor resources, mostly marginal or small, and labourers. Therefore, promotion of science and technology has not been easy. Farmers, particularly, small and marginal, still practise subsistence farming. Since rainfed areas often witness wide fluctuations in production year after year, increasing and stabilising agricultural production is of crucial importance. One-third of the dryland areas are badly degraded, which cannot be put under cultivation. They receive rainfall of less than 500 mm. Another one-third of the dryland areas receive heavy rainfall exceeding 1,500 mm and have, therefore, serious water management problem. These areas also include the black cotton soil, which have their own problems. The remaining 40 per cent of the estimated 100 million hectares of dryland areas have shallow depth and have been affected by massive soil erosion. The production potential of these areas is obviously quite limited. Our successive Five-Year Plans loudly espoused the cause of dryland farming but little has been achieved in the last decades. At the same time, our planners do not have even a sufficient data base for monitoring the programme. What is worse, the planners have yet to detail a concrete target-oriented approach towards boosting growth in dry areas. It is now feared that food imbalance would persist unless productivity of oilseeds, pulses and coarse grains can be stepped up in dry areas. Agricultural experts maintain that dryland farming has great potential for increasing the country's overall agricultural production. The new strategy that may be adopted in the near future should hopefully lead to sharp increases in output, especially in coarse grain, pulses and oilseeds. Over 90 percent of pulses cultivation is still under rainfed condition and farmers do not want to bring it under irrigation. The government should lay more emphasis on pulses production as they are two to three times richer in protein than most of the other cereals. The importance of this strategy can be appreciated when it is borne in mind that even if the irrigation potential of the country is fully exploited, 50 per cent of India's cultivable land would still depend upon rains. In this context, greater attention has to be paid to the less developed regions so that agricultural prosperity is evenly distributed and the consequent increase in purchasing power of the farming community plays a supportive role for industrial growth. Studies have revealed that enthusiasm in adoption of better quality fertilisers and pesticides has slackened because farmers cannot be convinced that investment in costly inputs can be profitable in dryland regions also. As rain water has to seep into the soil through the surface, the land has to be kept open for receiving more and more moisture. It should also be free of weeds and levelled, wherever necessary, so that the maximum amount of rain water seeps into the soil. Since timing and precision are two important factors in dryland farming, seeding and weeding must be timely. Therefore, land must be prepared before the sowing in order to capitalise on the moisture available at the time of harvesting the previous crop and also the rains receiving during the off-season. Improved ploughs and blade harrows should be used for this purpose. For sowing and applying fertiliser simultaneously, improved fertiliser drills are easily available. Optimal plant stands and vigorous as also healthy seedlings are the foundation for a successful crop in dryland areas. For timely weeding, dryland weeds (rotary) and sweepers are available, besides the conventional blades. However, inter-row weeding may have to be done by hand atleast once in 20-25 days for 100 days duration crops and 30-35 days for 150 days duration crops. Weeding equipment should be encouraged for not only weed control but also for reducing evaporation in the soil moisture. For launching ambitious plans in dryland farming, the State Governments need to act with determination and dedication. Unfortunately, they have generally been lukewarm without realising that schemes for increasing productivity in dryland agriculture held the key to future progress in Indian farm production. The International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (INCRISAT) is currently engaged in research in India on a major scale in sorghum, pearl millet, pigeon pea, chicken pea and groundnut, among other crops. While the INCRISAT research result should be quickly applied to the field, the government should lose no time in optimising the use of technology for triggering-off a Green Revolution in oilseeds and pulses production. This, in turn, would call for better credit and infrastructural facilities to be made available to the farmers. In adopting dryland farming practices and methods of crop production, it is imperative that a well-trained and equipped extension system is evolved for sustenance. However, due to inordinate delays in the execution of irrigation projects, not a single project in sectors like irrigation, power or flood control has been completed on schedule and within estimates. This aspect has to be kept in view while implementing any dryland farming scheme in future. The farm extension agencies should be toned up further to facilitate speedy dissemination of results from the laboratory to the farm-level. To sum up, Indian agriculture can surely pin its hopes on new methods of farming in the dryland areas of the country. If the country could incur an expenditure of Rs 70,000 for irrigating a hectare of land, why could Rs 6,000 not be spent on developing a hectare of rainfed land. Also, the adaptability of Israeli technology for India's agricultural development in water management, farming methods, dairy, poultry and livestock development may be assessed and put into practice to the extent possible. There should be region-specific research and development with adequate importance given to extension centres. Such an approach has led to the toning up of the acreage-wise density of production in Israel. Time has now come when a National Dryland Farming Organisation should be set up to increase productivity and income of our small and medium farmers by raising dryland farm output in the overall interest of accelerating the pace of agricultural production. PTI Feature |
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