Teri Meets on Environment
TERI organized a Brainstorming Session on Sustainable Agriculture Practices for Food and Nutritional Security on 30 May 2011,Teri conference hall and 31 May 2011 at IHC New Delhi commemorating the birth anniversary of the Late Dr B P Pal, revered for his outstanding contributions to the field of agricultural and horticultural research. Thematic sessions focusing on Sustainable Agricultural Practices for increasing productivity and New Technologies leading to sustainable agriculture will follow the inaugural session .
The phenomenal growth in the agriculture sector, propelled by implementation of Green Revolution technologies and allied practices worldwide in the mid-20th century, was an outcome of the commitment of a few visionaries towards eradication of poverty and alleviation of food scarcity, hunger, and malnutrition.
Given the initial success, the focus shifted from agriculture until in recent years, where we witness agriculture gaining centre stage, since there is now a very clear public perception about science and rural distress. Amongst others, sustainability issues now pose serious challenges in the next phase of agricultural growth. While the developing countries attempt to tackle issues pertaining to sustainability of resource use, the developed economies attempt at redeeming agriculture from overuse of chemical inputs. There is a pressing need to disengage from input- intensive agriculture and shift to sustainable farming. Even as the need for radically changing the growth strategy through sustainable agriculture practice have been well recognized, the transition from input-intensive to sustainable agriculture is faced with intrinsic problems and difficulties. Nevertheless, sustainable agriculture themes have become central issues to be addressed by policy-makers and leaders. Especially in light of WTO obligations and the global trade liberalization regime, it is vitally important that Indian agriculture ensures its sustainability for the benefit of the present and future generations.
The phenomenal growth in the agriculture sector, propelled by implementation of Green Revolution technologies and allied practices worldwide in the mid-20th century, was an outcome of the commitment of a few visionaries towards eradication of poverty and alleviation of food scarcity, hunger, and malnutrition.
Given the initial success, the focus shifted from agriculture until in recent years, where we witness agriculture gaining centre stage, since there is now a very clear public perception about science and rural distress. Amongst others, sustainability issues now pose serious challenges in the next phase of agricultural growth. While the developing countries attempt to tackle issues pertaining to sustainability of resource use, the developed economies attempt at redeeming agriculture from overuse of chemical inputs. There is a pressing need to disengage from input- intensive agriculture and shift to sustainable farming. Even as the need for radically changing the growth strategy through sustainable agriculture practice have been well recognized, the transition from input-intensive to sustainable agriculture is faced with intrinsic problems and difficulties. Nevertheless, sustainable agriculture themes have become central issues to be addressed by policy-makers and leaders. Especially in light of WTO obligations and the global trade liberalization regime, it is vitally important that Indian agriculture ensures its sustainability for the benefit of the present and future generations.
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