Date:04/01/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/01/04/stories/2006010403420900.htm

Back Movement to protect soil health to be launched

K.V. Kurmanath

Hyderabad , Jan. 3

THE agricultural sector in the country will witness a major movement this year from all stakeholders to protect the soil health.

Fertiliser companies, agricultural universities, farmers' associations and the Union and State Governments will join hands to launch the `soil health enhance movement'.

The movement would have three important components.

"It will take care physics (structure), chemistry (micro and macro nutrients) and micro biology of the soil," Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, Chairman of National Commission of Farmers, said.

Speaking to Business Line on the sidelines of the 93rd Indian Science Congress here on Tuesday, he said he had asked Mr Sharad Pawar, Union Minister for Agriculture, to convene a meeting of sub-committee (agriculture) of National Development Council (NDC) to discuss the issue.

He felt that the States should take the lead in this regard.

On Bt (biotechnology) seeds, he pointed out that the seed manufacturers should offer insurance cover in the packet (of seeds) price itself. This was very important to safeguard the interests of the farmers in the event of losses.

He also suggested that there should be a professionally run Biotechnology Authority that analyses the technology.

Prof Swaminathan said there was an urgent need to make the practice of recharge of water mandatory.