Expressing concerns over the future of agriculture in the country, Dr Gurubachan Singh, chairman, Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board, said over 40 per cent of farmers wanted to quit farming, owing to decrease in productivity.
Speaking at the Foundation Day celebrations of University of Agricultural Sciences in the city on Friday, Dr Singh said, “In 2010, country’s agricultural produce was 245 million tonnes. In 2011, that went up to 257 million tonnes and we need to increase this by 6-7 million tonnes every year.
However, many problems like water for agriculture, soil erosion, climate changes and other issues are looming large over the sector,” Dr Singh said.
He said that earlier 83 per cent water was available for agricultural purposes and now, this had come down to about 72-75 per cent.
“Problems like less rainfall, saline alkalinity, temperature variations, organic carbon are harming the future of agriculture sector. We need to take steps to maintain good soil health and utilise rain water. Currently, only 29 per cent of rain water is being utilised,” he said.
According to statistics, fertiliser efficiency in the country is just 45 per cent and micro-nutrient efficiency is seven to eight per cent.
“Post harvest technology should be strengthened. A multi-disciplinary approach needs to be adopted to solve farmers’ problems and NGOs, universities, scientists and farmers need to involve in making this successful,” he said.