STATE LEVEL CONSULTATION OF JHARKHAND FOR FEEDBACK ON THE DRAFT NATIONAL POLICY FOR
5. Research, Technology and Extension
i) Field centric approach for development agriculture is essential. Research which is not oriented to solve field level problems is not of much use to the farmers.
ii) Village level approach for appropriate technology is necessary.
iii) There is huge potential for organic farming in herbs/medicinal and other aromatic plants as the State is rich in natural vegetation and is home for of several species [for example, 114 medicinal plant species]. The tribal pockets of the State where no chemicals are used in agriculture could be declared as
‘Organic Zone’.
iv) Crop wise detailed package of practices is necessary for a State like Jharkhand.
v) The State Agriculture Department officials do not appear to be favouring organic agriculture as the productivity levels and production figures which they have to report are quite low in system of organic agriculture.
vi) Jharkhand is capable of producing many horticultural crops. The uplands could be mainly used for developing horticultural crops.
vii) The work of the National Horticultural Mission is progressing well in the State.
viii) The diversity of agro-climatic conditions in Jharkhand should be taken into consideration in formulating the projects/schemes.
ix) Rainfed agriculture is important as only 10% area has assured irrigational facilities.
x) Awareness of farmers about the latest technology of agriculture is rather low.
xi) Integrated farming approach is essential.
xii) Seed replacement rate is only 5-10%.
xiii) There is need for strong extension network in Jharkhand.
xiv) At primary school level the children should be made familiar with plants etc.
xv) There is a lack of extension workers.
xvi) How to retain the youth in agriculture is a serious issue as most of the farmers are elderly persons.
xvii) Rejuvenation of old orchards is extremely important.
6. Credit and Insurance
i) Land passbook should be issued to each farmer.
ii) Backward blocks should be identified for greater focus by the financing institutions.
iii) Outreach of Kisan Credit Card should be increased manifold.
7. Market and Investment
i) Not only marketing of agriculture produce is a problem, the marketing system is also inefficient. The producers get a very small part of the price paid by the consumer. Large profits are made in the supply chain.
ii) There is need for much greater capital investment in agriculture.
iii) Production should be market oriented.
iv) Around Ranchi vegetables like cauliflower & capsicum are available through out the year. The need is for a good market chain to market these vegetables.
The Market Yards should also have facilities for grading, storage etc.
v) Litchi is being grown in Ranchi even before the plant was introduced in Muzaffarpur [Bihar] on a commercial scale. There is considerable potential for developing this fruit crop in the State.
vi) Farmers do not have any trade organisation of their own to articulate their issues as in other trades and industries. Hence their problems are often overlooked.
vii) Product price should be based on input cost with at least a profit margin of 8- 10%.
viii) A vegetable export zone should be established in Jharkhand.
ix) Market development without the assistance of Govt. is extremely difficult in the State.
x) Private sector is now becoming interested in entering the agricultural produce market.
xi) The prevailing prices of many agricultural crops often remain below the MSP announced by the Govt. of India. The MSP should be protected.
xii) Transport subsidy is needed for input distribution in tribal areas.
xiii) There should be free movement of lac to strengthen the lac market all over the country.
xiv) MSP of the lac should also be announced.
xv) Soil testing units should be established at KVKs.
xvi) NGO should also be permitted to buy agricultural produce directly from the farmers without going through the APMCs.
8. Shri M.K. Mandal, Chief Secretary, Government of Jharkhand, gave an overview of the current agricultural situation in the State and the future roadmap. He emphasized the need for policy for development of agriculture in the State which should be implemented both in letter and spirit and not merely remain just a document. He regretted that despite 80 per cent of the Jharkhand population being dependent on agriculture, the State has so far given only secondary importance to this vital sector, most of the attention going to industries and minerals. While appreciating the contents and implications of the draft NCF Policy on Farmers for development of livelihood security of the people of Jharkhand, he identified the following aspects for priority action at the State level:
i) Notwithstanding the priority for small and marginal farmers, attention should also be paid to medium and large farmers so that they could serve as role models for small farmers.
ii) Generally, most of the Jharkhand farmers have not benefited from the Green Revolution and still continue to practice traditional methods of cultivation. The thrust, therefore, should be given to the development, identification and transfer of appropriate modern technologies, duly blended with indigenous knowledge, and by emphasizing integrated use of chemicals and organic products throughout the producer-consumer chain. Agricultural Renewal (as highlighted in the NCF Draft Policy) should earnestly be started during 2006-07
and Birsa Agricultural University, in collaboration with other stakeholders, should lead this Renewal.
iii) Tribal belts and other niche areas suitable for organic farming should be declared as Organic Farming Zones and appropriate production, post harvest management, certification and marketing facilities should be provided in an integrated manner. Organic production of medicinal and aromatic plants holds a great promise in the State.
iv) Since most of the upland in Jharkhand is marginally utilized, there is ample scope for diversification towards horticultural production. Enterprises like dairy, poultry and fisheries should also be promoted in an integrated manner.
Agricultural diversification should be based on market demands. While training should be intensified in the diversification programme, training of women farmers should be given special attention.
v) Irrigation remains generally neglected in Jharkhand. The Government of India should give special support for increasing irrigation intensity in the State.
9. After the Consultation session, Members of the NCF assured the full consideration of the suggestions and written representations made by the State Government and participants. They also thanked the State Government for the courtesy shown.