'Like power grid country needs a water pool for irrigation'

Underlining the importance of irrigation for small and marginal farmers,Haryana Agricultural University vice-chancellor K S Khokhar said here today that the country should adopt a water pool policy modelled on the national power grid.
Some of the regions are flooded while some remain in the spate of drought, Khokhar said, adding that if the rivers were connected, farmers would get much needed irrigation round the year.
Recommending a national water pool modelled on national power grid, Khokhar said, "The country should have a national water pool on the pattern of national power grid."
He said to increase agricultural production the country required another green revolution which is possible through mechanised farming, break-through in biotechnology and genetic research.

Talking about small and marginal farmers, he said, "The number of small and marginal farmers in the country is 80 per cent, but they own only 20 per cent of total arable land."
"Zero tillage has been successful, but the small farmers cannot afford the machines for levelling and raising. The government shall have to provide them subsidy," Khokhar added.
Expressing concern over the deteriorating quality of soil and water, he said excessive use of fertilisers and pesticides is causing several kind of diseases and natural richness of soil is depleting.
"Pulses can enrich the soil by preserving the minerals and nutrients," he said. Small farmers should adopt poultry, animal husbandry and horticulture, he said, adding that indigenous breeds of animals need improvement through cross-breeding.