Loan waiver can’t be a permanent solution: Dr MS Swaminathan
Noted agriculture scientist Dr MS Swaminathan, who headed the National Commission on Farmers, has emphasised the need for a concerted action by the Centre and states to address the problems being faced by the agriculture sector in the country. He says that a loan waiver may a temporary necessity but it can certainly not be a permanent solution. In an exclusive interview with DNA, Dr Swaminathan speaks on a number of issues. Excerpts:
On his recommendations
The main recommendations are contained in the National Policy for Farmers (NPF), which is available on the website of the Ministry of Agriculture. The main recommendation is to improve economic viability of farming and increase the net income of farmers. We need to orient farmers towards this goal. Also, we must ensure a technological transformation of rural professions, so as to attract and retain youth in farming.
What’s fuelling the agriculture crisis?
The continuous crisis in agriculture is largely because of climatic and economic factors. In the area of economics, the input-output pricing, and export-import policies have not been given the attention they deserve. On the technological side, there are controversies over the use of technologies such as genetic modification of crops. We need a regulatory system which …read more
