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AGRICULTURE AND
LEADERSHIP FOR
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT DR. KIRIT N SHELAT, I.A.S (RTD) Email ID: kiritshelat@hotmail.com
12th National Conference on Responding to Global Climate Change and Community Education 19-21st Feb 2009 At Indian Institution of Education - Pune
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Sustainable development is a pattern of resource use that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but in the indefinite future Sustainable development as development that "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It is growth oriented - of natural and all other resources. Sustainable development provides incremental values to all participants.
ONE SOILD WAY TO MEET CHALLENGE OF GLOBAL WARMING IS TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE AGRICUTURE DEVELOPMENT
It is multi skill approach for livlihood. It involves individual family and community, individually and jointly.
Says Shri. Kantisen Shroff In our sunlit tropical areas all our natural resources are through the process of photosynthesis. That means the CO2 form the atmosphere with molecule forms the basis of all resources and we also get back oxygen. We have measured these conversions and seen the positive changes in the environment. (The case studies of this vision are in the following pages).
CARBON SEQUESTRATION
Action taken to sequester Carbon in biomass and soils will generally increase the organic matter content of soils. This has a positive impact on environmental, agricultural and biodiversity aspects of ecosystems. The consequences of an increase in soil carbon storage can include increases in soil fertility, land productivity for food production and security, and prevention of land degradation. Therefore, this constitutes a win - win situation
These Efforts need to be channelised to achieve immediate requirements such as food security, biodiversity and sustainable agriculture through more appropriate and efficient land use and wasteland development.
RESTORATION STRATEGIES
Agro forestry:
In wastelands particularly in culturable wastelands, agroforestry can play an important role. India has 1.29 million hectors of wasteland. Such lands can sustain trees and grasses. Agri-hortisystem, growing trees at random (largely followed by the farmers), border plantations, silviculture, silvipasture etc needs to be promoted. Salt affected soils can be saline, sodic or saline sodic. Underground water is also mostly saline with a high water table. These are species, which can be grown on such soils. Salvadora persica ( Piludi) is a well-known salt tolerant species. Its seed oil has commercial value.
RESTORATION STRATEGIES
Studies conducted at the Bhal zone by the Central soil Salinity Institute, Regional Research Station, Bharuch showed that in soils with ECe ranging from 25 to 65 the average seed yield, oil content and oil yield at the end of the 4th year after planting were 1.84 t/ha, 31.1% and 5.76 q/ha. A net return of Rs. 7250/ha was possible after 4 years.(Gururaja Rao et.al. 2003). The species has a very good reclaiming effect also.
Prosopis juliflora (Gando Baval) is another such species. In Kutch district, it was observed that in highly salt affected soil with water table at less than 30 cm with a barren surface with no grass, the species not only grew well but after 5 years had grasses underneath and get multiplied on its own. It has great fuel value by converting into coal or by direct gasification. There are many other species which are salinity resistant and can thrive on margin areas of desert and marshy lands. The case studies in following pages show how practicable and possible it is to achieve this.
Sporobolus marginatus*
Eragrostis sp. Tavernia cunefolia Tavernia cunefolia Barleria acanthoides
Aristida sp.
Eremopogon foveolatus Lepidagathis sp. Tephrosia purpurea Digit aria adscendens Indigofera Oblong folia Sehima nervosum* Convolvulus Arvensis Boerhavia liffusa
Zizypus nummularia
Tribulus terrestris Brachiaria ramosa
Eragrostis sp.
37 projects in 34 villages of 3 blocks, covering 20300 ha. Implemented as ridge to valley concept with cluster & participatory approach. Case study of Hamla and Manjal villages of Mandvi block Area covered 1000 ha. 120 families
Watershed Approach:
2000 acre, two villages of Lakhpat Taluka. Chuger village farmers have first time sown crop in their field. It created income of more than 3 to 4 lacs. Created employment of 15,970 Man-Days. Soil erosion reduced. It improved productivity. Shri Khengarji started taking two crops from stored water and realized income of Rs. 3 lacs. Water table and quality of water improved in the wells of surrounding area. Animals from surrounding five villages got water for drinking Treated area taken up for plantation under joint forest management
AGRO FORESTRY
Treated Area: 500 Acres Cost Rs.27,000,00 Storage and recharge of Water-30 Cr Lts Lush Green Grass Area- 250 Acres No of plants1 to 2 Meter Canopy- 3500 Less than 1 Meter Canopy- 9500
VEGETATION DETAILS
Plants Khijado Kher Pilu Vingo Kerad Boradi Kundher Luva Gugar Gangni 2005 25 440 110 10 67 2170 20 200 110 370 2006 70 2305 710 220 110 2760 510 320 450 560 2007 267 3347 1810 269 467 4275 567 355 630 690
Liyar
TOTAL
20
3542
425
8450
467
13144
CASE STUDY - V
COMMUNITY BIOGAS PROJECT SHROFFS FOUNDATION TRUST KANAS, CHHOTA UDEPUR
Individual biogas scheme failed due to low cattle holding with individual farmer Community biogas plan set up after interaction with village community. State Government provided financial assistance. Production of 3 Ton of slurry per day and network of gas pipeline for village household. Animal holder paid price for cow dung per kg. Per month Rs.200/- for gas connection - 70 householders. Vermicompost bed set up and slurry used for it Liquid slurry not marketable but once converted into vermicompost, it can be transported to urban centers in bags after meeting local demand. Thus it becomes marketable product, which is the key to success of the project. The gobar and Agri waste emanates mythen but converted in Biogas has different value addition to environment.
CONCLUSION
The combination of photosynthesis and ability of plants to lay down (cellulose and lignin) acts as a powerful concentrator of carbon from the atmosphere into a fixed form.
There is no parallel human technology that is capable of performing this kind of carbon concentration
CONCLUSION
One of the most effective ways to help reduce CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere is to increase the standing biomass by agriculture horticulture, increase the growth rate of forests, increase the geographic extent of forests, AND MOST IMPORTANT, increase the amount of wood used by people where it can be substituted for steel, cement, fossil fuel, and other non-renewable, energy intensive materials, which will result in dramatic reductions in CO2 emissions. Bring all available open land under agriculture and forestry. This will provide increased income to people in rural areas poor families will benefit. With maximum number of sunny days and large area of waste and degraded lands India has unique opportunity and a role to play. The overall rate of land use improvement has not been satisfactory. But success story of certain well implemented projects give hope. There is urgent need to replicate such successful land use in other parts not only to combat the long term ill effects of Green House gases emission but also to address immediate pressing issues like food security, sustainability, biodiversity and farmers economic growth.
CONCLUSION
POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPMENT
Number of countries in the world are having decline in growth of agriculture especially food crops. Especially in countries of Africa due to re-current droughts and internal turmoil and increasing urban areas all over world and heavy corporatisation of farming in some developed economics. There is increased demand not only for food but for other Agri. produce. a. Due to increasing population and per capita income in so called developing countries with major share of China and India. b. There is national and international demand for bio-fuel, which has diverted growing of food crops. Indian farmer has shown that it has capacity to compete at global level.
CONCLUSION
ENHANCE PRODUCTIVITY
Share of arable land in the world 11.5% (only second to USA) Scope for improving yield in major crops Opportunity to bring wasteland under cultivation based as per one international experience. INDIAS YIELD PER HA OF WORLD AVERAGE Estimates in some major crops are Paddy- 75%, Wheat- 63%, Cereals- 73%, Pulses - 79%, Soya- 48%, Maize- 38% In cotton we have reached world highest yield with BT Cotton seeds. There are already salinity resistant Rice variety developed by Anand Agricultural University, similar research is underway for wheat. We have more than 1.30 million hector of wasteland by converting them into cultivable Agri land where salinity resistant crops can be grown along with Agro-forestry with watershed and salinity control, we can take up this challenge.
CONCLUSION
USE OF KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY
challenges . By knowledge economy he means: Systematic application of various sub-branches of knowledge to a given activity For example use of soil health and moisture analysis with internet linking to villages to guide farmers to grow sustainable crops. Reducing the proportion of chillies, which are curved rather than straight. Increasing economic value and resilience of commodities through conversion of wastelands into productive use (water management is key)
CONCLUSION
USE OF KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY
Use of Satellite imagery images of earth ISRO has network of institutions, which has data to map areas the wastelands, the margin areas of desert and marshy areas apart from micro level planning of village land.
BAISAG Gujarat which is a institution promoted by ISRO and Government of Gujarat. BAISAG is involved in planning of village level lands including wasteland, watershed, gully plugging, farms ponds.
Arial seeding of submerged areas by use of helicopter and small planes. Growth in Kutchh of Ganda Baval is an example of this.
CONCLUSION
USE OF KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY Climate forecasting and management and mapping by use of satellite data clubbed with empirical data for forecasting, prevention for mitigation of adverse effects of natural disasters, droughts, floods is need of time. One such centre is already established in Ahmedabad. Improving national research for example finding out Carbon Absorption by different plants. Expanding and improving prevention of plant, animal and human pests and disease infestations;
CONCLUSION
USE OF KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY Plantation of bio-fuel crops which are salinity resistance like ganda bavala, castor crops, Jetropha with use of Tissue Culture and protected Agri and micro Irrigation with greenhouses. Public private partnership to develop wasteland, which needs high capital investment. Amendment of GDR in town planning scheme for urban, rural and industrial areas to make compulsory earmarking of specified area for plantation of trees and garden. Use of reserved ribbon line land of Rlys, national and state highways and all other public and properties including educational premises, use of margin areas of riverbed or area where rivers have changed course.
CONCULSION
LEADERSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Global warming is a threat can be converted into an opportunity Win-win situation for all if efforts are channelised with focus on sustainable development with agriculture at its centre. There is over all awareness at all levels from school children to senior citizen with public and private players.
But key to all these is LEADERSHIP which is motivated and committed for promotion of sustainable development with a clear vision, detailed plan and implementation strategy based on use of knowledge economy.
The leadership at all level - village, taluka, district, state and centre need to focus on farmers. The agriculture is growing at 2% to 4% compared to service and manufacturing which are above 8%. This has created urban and rural divine. As per NSSO 2005 60% of farmers do not like farming. Within agriculture also there is disparity, some farmers are becoming prosperous others commit suicide or wed Naxalism
CONCULSION
LEADERSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
All kinds of leaders. The Elected: Sarpanches, Taluka Pramukhs, District Pramukhs, MLAs, MPs, Cooperatives, trade and industry association and like The Non Elected leaders: Owner/Entrepreneurs, Managing Director of companies, NGOs, Civil Servants, Educational Leaders (teachers), Armed Forces even the Spiritual Leaders. If all act together with a goal in view - there will be all round prosperity.