Farm scientists, state functionaries to discuss farm issues, devise strategy for next season
Focus to be on health, water management, small machinery and extension

Top government functionaries and scientists dealing with agriculture from all States and Union Territories are meeting here next week for two days to discuss strategies to be adopted in the ensuing cropping season, the kharif. The National Conference will be inaugurated by Agriculture and Food Processing Industries Minister, Shri Sharad Pawar on Monday.

One key area for deliberations would be soil health. The emphasis will be on promoting use of bio-fertilizers and micro-nutrients, and balanced use of chemical fertilizers. Specific problems of soil degradation due to excess salts, acids and alkalis in soil, and area-specific nutrient deficiencies will be discussed to evolve strategies to deal with them.

Water conservation and management, especially in drylands is a prime consideration for crops in summers. The conference is, therefore, going to review in detail the availability of water during summers and devise ways to deal with any eventuality caused by variations in monsoon. Special focus is to be given to technical knowhow, timely advisories and timely supply of inputs. Since majority of farmers in dryland areas are small, focus will be on supporting them with agronomic practices to be adopted and inputs provided to farmers in dryland areas to improve crop productivity.

Since small and marginal farmers find it difficult to purchase farm machinery, government is promoting use of small machinery by setting up of custom hiring centres. The Conference will also provide a platform to share progressive states’ experiences on the matter and encourage others to adopt them.

It has been observed that many states have not been paying adequate attention to strengthening extension infrastructure which is essential for taking research to the farmer’s field. The Centre is likely to exhort states to work towards filling up posts of field extension staff, making use of mass media for reaching crop advisories to farmers, professionalising Kisan Call Centres in their areas, and establishing agri-clinics and agri-business centres.

The strategies evolved after detailed discussions on important farm matters in the National Conference will be followed by States in the kharif season. Kharif is the major crop season in India. Paddy (rice), jowar (sorghum), bajra (pearl millet), maize, arhar (pigeon pea), urad (black gram), mung (green gram), groundnut, sunflower and soybean are major food and edible-oil crops grown in this season.