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Promising Strategies of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to Enhance the Sustainability

of Indian Agriculture for the New Millennium

Article · October 2015

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Special issue of Int.J.Zakir (ISSN: 2454-2938)Vol 2 (80): 610-617
Int. Conf. on “2020 – The Vision of Dr. Kalam” at DrZHCIly
15 October 2015

Promising Strategies of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to

Enhance the Sustainability of Indian Agriculture for the New Millennium

Dr. M. Rajamohamed Kalanjiam

Assistant Professor, PG & Research Department of Zoology, Dr. Zakir Husain College,
Ilayangudi – 630 702, Sivaganga District, Tamil Nadu, India.
Email: mraajaamuhammed@gmail.com

Abstract
Transforming our nation into a developed country, agriculture is one of the five promising
areas identified by Bharat Ratna, Honourable former President of India and premier space
scientist, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, based on India's core competence, natural resources and
talented manpower for integrated action to double the growth rate of gross domestic
product (GDP) and realize the Vision of Developed India. Dr. Kalam quoted that “Enhancing
agriculture productivity is the key for agro-food processing and related industrial,
manufacturing and service sector growth”. This article brings into sharp relief the
combination of Dr. Kalam’s vision and his recent keynote addresses and proceedings of
convocations at Indian agricultural institutions (2014-2015) on sustainable Indian agriculture
with his passion for farmer development not just for India but for all nations. It is uncommon
to see individuals in political power speak with such scientific insight, or to see eminent
scientists speak of uplifting the human condition with such passion.

Key words: A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Promising Strategies, Sustainable Agriculture, Indian Farming Practices,
Transgenic Technology, Organic farming.

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Int. Conf. on “2020 – The Vision of Dr. Kalam” at DrZHCIly
15 October 2015

Introduction

“Globally agriculture is the predominant industry than any other industry. Growth in

agriculture production with value addition will not only increase the per capita income of the

farmers, but also support increasing need of food and raw materials in the urban sector.

Enhancing agriculture productivity is the key for agro-food processing and related industrial,

manufacturing and service sector growth” – Dr. Kalam.

Agriculture is backbone of Indian economy with more than half of the population still

depend on this sector for their livelihood. India over several millenniums has been the

treasure land of biological wealth, intellectual knowledge and spiritual wisdom. It had also

been the cradle of many ancient human civilizations like the world famous Indus valley,

Ganges delta, Cauvery delta civilization etc. India is classified among the 12 mega diversity

centers of the world in relation to crops. As many as 167 species of crops, 320 species of wild

crop relatives and several species of domesticated animals have been identified. The genetic

diversity within these species is outstanding. Some examples are rice (50,000 varieties),

sorghum (5,000 varieties), mango (1000 varieties), pepper (500 varieties), cattle (27 breeds),

sheep (40 breeds), poultry (18 breeds) and buffalo farming (8 breeds).

A sustainable agriculture is one that, over the long term, enhances environmental

quality and the resource base on which agriculture depends, provides for basic human food

and animal feeds, is economically viable, and enhances the quality of life for farmers and

society as a whole. Food security and nutrition security is also an important criteria for

agriculture sustainability. The sustainability and profitability of agriculture is mainly

depends on meeting the current and future demand of farmers without stressing the

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Int. Conf. on “2020 – The Vision of Dr. Kalam” at DrZHCIly
15 October 2015

agricultural resources beyond the boundaries. Over 50 years since its independence, India

has made immense progress towards food security. Indian population has tripled, but food-

grain production more than quadrupled: there has thus been substantial increase in available

food-grain per capita.

“The achievements of India in bringing green revolution, yellow revolution, white

revolution and blue revolution are notable. Agriculture and livelihoods are intimately linked

in India. Mixed farming involving Crop-livestock and sometimes fish integration has been

both a way of life and a means to sustainable livelihoods” – Dr. Kalam.

Present Scenario of Indian agriculture in the view of Dr. Kalam

“It is not the subsidy what the farmers want, the farmer needs right type of seeds,

fertilizers, pesticides at right time and at right source” said by Dr. Kalam. During the period

of the Presidency of Dr. Kalam (2002-2007), He had invited 6000 farmers to Rashtrapati

Bhavan and had interactions with them. Subsequently whenever he visited rural areas, he also

had interactions with farmers in different parts of India. They discussed with him for their

problems and arrived at certain solutions. Dr. Kalam discussed the solutions with the

government and the scientists. One of the actions taken is that Indian farmers are going

countries where high per-capita yield has been achieved for studying the practices which can

be replicated locally. Indian farmers have gone to Africa and helped African countries to take

up Jatropha plantation. The government has rightly decided to pay more attention to farming

and agro-processing which will not only improve the conditions of farmers but also enable

maintenance of the overall growth rate of India’s GDP in the present environment. The

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Int. Conf. on “2020 – The Vision of Dr. Kalam” at DrZHCIly
15 October 2015

present scenario and one of the major problems in the field of agriculture is; small size land

holding by farmers which is continuously getting fragmented due to the family structure.

“Setting up of farmer cooperatives is the road ahead in agriculture” – Dr. Kalam.

Dr. Kalam recently suggested a host of measures including setting up of farmer

cooperatives, availability of quality seeds and fertilisers to increase food production and

mitigate the distress of farmers in India. He suggested mechanised farming, value addition,

marketing of agro products, crop growth, soil suited fertilisers, and proper irrigation, and cold

storage, multi-cropping and food processing infrastructure would mitigate the distress of

farmers and improve food productivity. Fortunately, Gujarat has a tremendous experience in

cooperative movement in production of milk products. When the farmer's production

increases, these cooperatives will forecast and establish networks with markets on behalf of

the individual farmer members to facilitate rapid movement where there is a demand and

profit cost.

Application of transgenic technology in Indian agriculture practices

The continuous efforts has been made by the research institutions and universities in

central and state governments of India (Indian council of Agricultural Research, Krishi

Vigyan Kendras and State Universities of Agriculture, Veterinary and Farm Animal/Fisheries

Sciences), especially giving high priority to research with the focus on productivity,

sustainability and improvement of socio-economic conditions of farming community. In this

context, Dr. Kalam supported and encouraged Indian researchers and farmers to use

transgenic technology, which is the introduction of a foreign gene into a plant.

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15 October 2015

“No illusionary fears can stop the advancement of what is rational and logical and the

solution lies in developing beneficial transgenic crops locally” said by Dr. Kalam. A

transgenic crop plant contains a gene or genes which have been artificially inserted instead of

the plant acquiring them through pollination. Depending on where and for what purpose the

plant is grown, desirable genes may provide features such as higher yield or improved

quality, pest or disease resistance, or tolerance to heat, cold and drought. Transgenic

technology enables plant breeders to bring together in one plant useful genes from a wide

range of living sources, not just from within the crop species or from closely related plants

and expands the possibilities beyond the limitations imposed by traditional cross-pollination

and selection techniques. Transgenic BT corn, for example, which produces its own

insecticide, contains a gene from a bacterium.

Indian Agriculture – Visionary leadership is the need of the hour

Indian agricultural sector employs nearly 50% of India's population who can work in

the agriculture area, yet accounts for only about 17% of total GDP. Growth in agriculture has

stagnated relative to other sectors: last quarter, the agricultural sector grew at a rate of 3.2%,

which is much lower than all other sectors. Agricultural incomes are lower and growing

slower than incomes in other sectors. The causes for such a situation are many out of which

the major concerns for the low productivity are: non availability such as: proper irrigation

system, availability of quality seeds in time, coordinated support to the farmers for system

oriented approach towards farming and its practice, insurance accessibility and natural

disaster including flood, drought, seasoned pests, excessive inorganic fertilizer, degraded soil

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Int. Conf. on “2020 – The Vision of Dr. Kalam” at DrZHCIly
15 October 2015

quality, storage facility and non-availability of trained human resource and non-availability

market access at the right time, are some of the important reasons for its low productivity.

India has seen the islands of success in Agricultural growth and productivity increase

in many parts of the nation. Best insurance to the farmers and to increase their earning

capacity is possible only by adopting the following: multi-cropping, scientific farming with

regulated drip irrigation, creation of reliable agro and food processing infrastructure,

increased availability of ground water and 24X7 power availability. The coordinated mission

mode operations have to be initiated by government in partnership with the Agriculture

universities and its scientists. It is one of the essential needs for high productivity of

agriculture produce, the agriculture inputs such as; quality seeds, quality fertilizer reach the

farmer in-time.

Organic farming

Dr. Kalam said “In the environmental climate change, there is a need for Farmers,

Agricultural Planners, Educationists and researchers to increase the quantum of Indian

organic farming”. He emphasised Organic agriculture which recognizes that crop rotation and

intensive partnership with animal husbandry is important to maintain ecological balance. In

this respect, organic farming becomes a sustainable development process. Farmers can realize

better value from the agricultural residue.

Priorities of research areas proposed by Dr. Kalam for sustainable Indian agriculture

An integrated development plan with employment generation as the focus, driven by

provision of the habitat, healthcare, education, skill development, physical and electronic

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connectivity and marketing as a business proposition in a sustainable manner is envisaged. In

this aspect, the following research areas have been proposed by Dr. Kalam for making Indian

agriculture as more sustainable,

1. Need to map the deficiency of above mentioned different areas and bridge the gap

through balanced fertilization demonstrated on large farms and the multi-cropping

system.

2. Providing improved quality seed varieties, matching the soil condition and climate

variability.

3. Forecasting to the farmers correctly at the right time, the monsoon arrival and also the

monsoon performance. Right input to the farmers accordingly should be available.

4. Promoting appropriate land and water management practices for alleviating water

logging and simultaneously harvesting water for subsequent supplemental irrigation.

5. Capacity building among stakeholders through training, skill development and online

problem solving and knowledge sharing through agri-clinics at block level.

6. Arranging efficient processing of produce which can result in a value addition of 4 to

5 times and increase shelf life.

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Int. Conf. on “2020 – The Vision of Dr. Kalam” at DrZHCIly
15 October 2015

7. Need for research on nutritional aspects of food and create a plant, or farm mix which

leads of efficient nutrition in the food produce.

Conclusion

A sustainable agricultural strategy of Dr. Kalam can contribute to a broader

development of agricultural productivity, food security, generation of rural employment and

poverty reduction in India while promoting the conservation of the natural resource base.

These strategies can be adopted with sound infrastructure, governance, the private public

participation and effective implementation seeking to contribute to poverty reduction,

enhance regional integration, accelerate rural development and improve productivity of

agriculture practice in India and other International growing countries.

References

1. Key Note Address on “Rural Agri-Based Technology” at RV Institute of Technology,

Bijnor, India (2015)

2. Convocation Address of Dr. Kalam at Birsa Agriculture University, Ranchi. India (2015)

3. Convocation Address of Dr. Kalam at the Anand Agricultural University, Anand, India

(2014)

4. Convocation Address of Dr. Kalam at Orissa University of Agriculture & Technology,

Bhubaneswar , India (2014)

5. Kalam, A. A., & Rajan, Y. S. India 2020: A vision for the new millennium. Penguin Print

UK. (2014)

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