EFFECT OF GLOBALISATION OF FARMERS

EFFECT OF GLOBALISATION OF FARMERS

Globalisation is not a new phenomenon. It was there at the time of colonisation. In the nineteenth century when European traders came to India, at that time too, Indian spices were exported to different countries of the world, and farmers of south India were encouraged to grow these crops. Till today it is one of the important items of export from India.

During the British period, cotton belts of India attracted the British and ultimately cotton was exported to Britain as a raw material for their textile industries. The cotton textile industry in Manchester and Liverpool flourished due to the availability of good quality cotton from India. You have read about the Champaran movement which started in 1917 in Bihar. This was started because farmers of that region were forced to grow indigo on their land because it was necessary for the textile industries which were located in Britain. They were unable to grow food grains to sustain their families.

Under globalisation, particularly after 1990, the farmers in India have been exposed to new challenges. Despite being an important producer of rice, cotton, rubber, tea, coffee, jute, and spices our agricultural products are not able to compete with the developed countries because of the highly subsidised agriculture in those countries.

Figure 4.16: Tissue culture of teak clones

Today, Indian agriculture finds itself at the crossroads. To make agriculture successful and profitable, proper thrust should be given to the improvement of the condition of marginal and small farmers. The green revolution promised much. But today it’s under controversies. It is being alleged that it has caused land degradation due to the overuse of chemicals, drying aquifers and vanishing biodiversity. The keyword today is “gene revolution”, which includes genetic engineering. Genetic engineering is recognised as a powerful supplement in inventing new hybrid varieties of seeds.

Figure 4.17: Problems associated with heavy pesticide use are widely recognised in developed and developing countries

Change in cropping patterns for example from cereals to high-value crops will mean that India will have to import food. During 1960’s this would have been seen as a disaster. But if India imports cereals while exporting high-value commodities, it will be following successful economies like Italy, Israel and Chile. These countries exports farm products (fruits, olives, specialty seeds and wine) and import cereals. Are we ready to take this risk? Debate the issue.

Activity 9.1:

1. Organise a debate on the food security of India, its need, and efforts.

2. Can you name any gene-modified seed used vastly in India?

Source: This topic is taken from NCERT TEXTBOOK

ORGANIC FARMING

ORGANIC FARMING

In fact, organic farming is much in vogue today because it is practised without factory-made chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides. Hence, it does not affect the environment in a negative manner.

A few economists think that Indian farmers have a bleak future if they continue growing foodgrains on the holdings that grow smaller and smaller as the population rises. India’s rural population is about 833 million (2011) which depends upon 250 million (approximate) hectares of agricultural land, an average of less than half a hectare per person.

Indian farmers should diversify their cropping pattern from cereals to high-value crops. This will increase incomes and reduce environmental degradation simultaneously. Because fruits, medicinal herbs, flowers, vegetables, bio-diesel crops like jatropha and jojoba need much less irrigation than rice or sugarcane. India’s diverse climate can be harnessed to grow a wide range of high-value crops.

Source: This topic is taken from NCERT TEXTBOOK