Farm sector's woes

Sir, - Mr. Bhanu Pratap Singh in `Agriculture needs a fair deal' (Nov. 12) has made a good analysis of the present state of agriculture and how these can be overcome so that it becomes a viable business proposition. Here are certain basic facts that need the immediate attention of the mandarins of Krishi Bhawan and Yojana Bhawan.

First, the main emphasis has been on the irrigated area over the last 50 years to the neglect of rain-fed agriculture, which accounts for 70 per cent of the cultivated area. This area is also unable to use modern inputs like fertilizers and requires special attention, as the main problem is the need to conserve surface water. Second, almost all the schemes such as subsidy on inputs and minimum support price have benefited large farmers having marketable surplus. The small and subsistence farmers have been neglected.

Last but not the least. Due to over-emphasis on the production of cereals such as wheat and rice, generally grown under irrigated conditions or areas having good rainfall, crops such as pulses and oilseeds have not received due attention. Thus, while there is a surplus of foodgrains causing problems of storage and disposal, we have to import pulses and oilseeds at a great cost.

Vidya Sagar,

Delhi

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