Conventional agriculture is not suitable for small farmers due to climate change. The farmers should adopt sustainable practices. Sustainable agriculture involves a deep commitment to the land, said Governor SC Jamir here on Thursday inaugurating a symposium on “Transition Strategies for Sustainable Community Systems from Design and Systems Perspectives,” organised by the NABARD Chair Unit of Xavier University Bhubaneswar.
Jamir said that taking care of today’s resources would preserve them for the future. However, problems are hindering achieving sustainability goals. People have to develop a lifestyle that consumes less.
For achieving sustainability, policy formation and sharing of know- how is important and capacity building is crucial. Sustainability is a by word for the 21st century. However, it should be developed at the grassroot level. “Mitigation of threats to agriculture is important as we stand at a critical juncture in history,” the Governor said.
NABARD Chairman HK Bhanwala said dependence on agriculture is 50 per cent but its contribution to GDP is mere 15 per cent. If poverty eradication is to be achieved focus has to be laid on production. However, the problem is agriculture sustainability as now we are working in hostile environment due to the frequent climate changes.
There should be optimum utilisation of resources like water. So, precision farming is need of the hour and efficient irrigation practices have to be followed. The declining size of land holdings is a big problem though the margins are not less in agriculture.
leasing of land and farm equipment is needed. Shifting of large number of people to non-formal sectors is required and connectivity is a big issue in India, said Bhanwala.
Scientist Peter Kenoe said the national policy on agriculture in India needs drastic changes. The families are too poor even to buy cereals. There is a need for change in production and research. There is a need for stress on how local ecology is preserved instead of how much tonnes of grains were put in the central storage.
XUB Vice-Chancellor and XIMB Director Professor Dr Father Paul Fernandes, SJ delivered the welcome address.