Farm economics should pay for itself: Dr M S Swaminathan on Karnataka loan waiver

Loan waiver a short-term necessity, not a method to manage farm economy, says Dr Swaminathan.
Eminent agriculture scientist M S Swaminathan. | (Pandarinath B | EPS)
Eminent agriculture scientist M S Swaminathan. | (Pandarinath B | EPS)

BENGALURU: The coalition government that announced a Rs 44,000 crore farm loan waiver and farmers, who were demanding for it, may see the loan waiver as an absolute need to rescue the farm sector from crisis.

However, renowned agriculture scientist and father of India’s green revolution Dr M S Swaminathan considers it as a short-term necessity and not a method to manage farm economy. Swaminathan, who met the Chief Minister, other ministers and senior officers on an invitation from the state government, spoke to The New Sunday Express about the need to increase farmers’ income and improve farm economy. Excerpts.

The state government recently announced a farm loan waiver. Do you think such measures help?

The loan waiver was a short-term necessity as farmers were not able to repay debt and were not eligible for another credit. This kind of step may be necessary for once to launch them again into agriculture. However, it should not become a permanent method of farm economy management. What it really shows is that the economics of farming is not good.

If it was good, they will repay the loan. We should look at measures to strengthen the farm economy by looking at what is wrong with it so that there is no demand for a waiver.  If there is a demand, it shows that (farmers) outgo is more than the income. We should look at measures to increase farmers’ income. Many methods can be found depending on the agro-ecological zone. 

Why did we reach such a state?

We have allowed problems to accumulate in the farming sector. I drafted the national policy for farmers ten years ago, but the previous government did not initiate any action. They just printed the report and distributed it in Parliament. 

Farmers are taking extreme measures. Don’t you think it’s a serious crisis?

Not only in Karnataka, it is a problem in many states. The reason behind the problem should be carefully studied. Is it a marketing problem? Is it pricing? Or minimum support price may not be enough. 

What do you think about the minimum support price (MSP) the Centre recently announced? 

The Prime Minister recently increased MSP substantially. We recommended it long back and more or less they are on the same path. The PM is very concerned with the pricing and wants to ensure that good price is given. In a country like ours, it is also a political compulsion to look into farmers’ problems. If you do not address their issues, they may not care for you. 

What was your advice to Karnataka CM on increasing farmers’ income?

Since urbanisation is booming, we should take up peri-urban horticulture. We also discussed measures to improve the productivity of fruits and vegetables. Packing and marketing is also very important, otherwise, you produce more and you suffer more. I suggest that the government focus more on market-driven horticulture.  

What are the measures the state government should take?  

The government has to set up research and demonstration centres. It should also identify good horticulture farmers and make them trainers so that they can help others. Its like land-to-land and not lab-to-land. Farmer to farmer learning is very effective. The government should look into processing, marketing and pricing. I suggested that the state government should constitute state farmers commission, which will have good rapport or continuous dialogue with farmers as farmers should also have a say in public policy. 

Your views on the scope for seawater farming in Karnataka? 

There is lot of scope for seawater farming in the state as we have a long coastline and we can use water along the coast for farming.  We even have paddy varieties which can withstand seawater. It can be used for horticulture, aquaculture and fisheries etc. About 97 per cent of world’s water is seawater and we don’t make good use of it. Seawater farming is an unexploited and unexplored area and I have been propagating it for coastal area prosperity.

Your views on implementing Israeli method of water management?

It would certainly help. It is important that we should ensure economic use of water. Even the PM called for more crop per drop. In our foundation, we have shown that we can reduce the intake of water and increase yield. Rainwater harvesting should be made mandatory in urban and rural areas. For water management, we should use any method including the Israeli method. Karnataka should develop its own method of water management.

Your advice to farmers?

Farmers and farming is going to become more important soon as population and consumption capacity is growing. Farming as a profession is likely to become very important. Whatever short-term problems are, they should look at farming as a viable preposition and take pride in making farming economically viable. 

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