 "Govt capable of handling challenges from low rain: Radha Mohan Singh")
India's new minister of agriculture, Radha Mohan Singh, takes charge at a time when the country faces multiple challenges in farming, apart from the threat of a bad monsoon which could pull down grain production. In an interaction with journalists, he highlighted priorities. Edited excerpts:
The southwest monsoon is expected to be below normal this year. How do you plan to tackle it?Our officers have already held meetings with most state officials and visited the likely vulnerable areas. We have also issued advisories to farmers and are now in the process of zone-wise consultation with the officers concerned. We will complete all our preparations by June 15. I'm very sure the government is capable of handling all sorts of challenges from low rain.
What will be your stand on genetically modified crops?
We are of the firm view that use of GM technology will be allowed only if this is absolutely necessary.
Will your ministry meet the party's manifesto promise of guaranteeing a Minimum Support Price which is 50% over the cost of production for crops?
In the current kharif season, this might be difficult to implement. However, we can assure that in the coming time, this will be implemented.
Any alternative plans?
Yes, I today (Wednesday) had a meeting and instructed officers to work on a scheme to ensure the average income of farmers of, say, four-five years is insured, so that they can stand on their feet in case of any crop loss. There was a similar scheme during our earlier regime (1998-2004), discontinued by the previous government. We will frame a new programme.
Do you see low rains leading to a food inflationary spiral, as anticipated in some quarters?
History is proof that prices of food items have dropped whenever a Bharatiya Janata Party government or coalition comes to power. I don't have to say anything more on this, as we have solid proof to back our claims in the form of our state governments.
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How will you ensure irrigation for farmers as promised by the BJP in its manifesto?
Only 44% of India's arable land is irrigated. I have officers to immediately frame a scheme, to be called the Pradhan Mantri Grameen Sinchai Yojana, for which I will talk to all departments and officers concerned.
Other major initiatives the new government plans to take?
We will look at the cooperative sector to ensure its democratisation. Also, we are working on a scheme to ensure India's domestic cow breeds are protected. Our breeds are exported, while in India, the domestic breed of cows is diminishing. We will also start a dedicated television channel for farmers.
Also, we are looking at revisiting the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Act. Also, we will increase the number of central agriculture universities from the current two; this country has 15 agro-climatic zones but only two universities.
Any plans to change the ministry's work culture?
I have instructed all officers to change their work culture with the change in political dispensation. All officers will try to remove bottlenecks in implementation of schemes and programmes. We are thankful that we have a leader in Narendra Modi who understands the problems of farmers, comes from a poor family and understands the problem of villagers.