Lack of viable models a major concern

KOZHIKODE: The high-tech farming mantra raised by Finance Minister K M Mani in the State Budget to boost agriculture sector has received mixed response from the agriculture fraternity. Even while hailing the proposal to implement high-tech farming extensively, agriculture experts and farmers have raised concerns over the lack of economically viable and sustainable models for high-tech farming to implement the scheme.“Going high-tech is good but where are the economically viable and sustainable models in the state? What we have are just some small demonstration units and a few success stories, which lack credibility on its sustainability. The research data is totally lacking on this and so also is adaptive trial research. It’s going to be a great research and extensional challenge,” feels R Hali, agriculture expert and former director of agriculture. “At least now, we must begin agro-economic and trade discussions on this topic,” he adds.The lack of technial expertise of agriculture officers of the state is another major hurdle which could affect the speedy implementation of high-tech farming.  “Majority of the agriculture officers of the state are not up-to-date with the technological sophistications in farming. At first, the government should envisage a major training programme for the officers so that they could provide a comprehensive technical support to farmers,” said a senior agriculture officer, who preferred anonymity.According to veteran farmer and leader of Socialist Janata (Democratic) K Krishnankutty, the proposal would remain on paper unless the government initiates proper training to agriculture officers. “Mechanisation is the need of the hour but it is easier said than done. The Budget proposes to start three poly houses in each panchayat and training would be provided by an expert committee led by a principal agriculture officer. How could agriculture officers recommend a farming practice without proper expertise?” he said.Hali also points out that the concept of rice-parks is yet to get acceptance in any of the top rice-growing tracts of the country.  “Even the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) has not come forward with ideal models of rice parks. So, this also needs thorough trials before it is put into operation,” he said.