Extensive plan must to achieve dream of 2nd Green Revolution

TO FULFILL the dream of second Green Revolution in the country, an extensive bridge programme establishing co-ordination between researchers, Agriculture Department officers and farmers has become need of the hour.

Like in other states, training of officials and field staff of Agriculture Department has been started in Madhya Pradesh. But in Madhya Pradesh, the programme requires various changes to gain desired success due to illiteracy amongst farmers who in majority are tribals. Shifting of farmers from their traditional farming method to modern farming techniques not only requires education but equally demands development of basic infrastructure like electricity and availability of water for irrigation. In present conditions besides education various other factors are needed to be included and focused on priority basis in the extension activities conducted by using the network of Government Departments and through sources of Agricultural University. Till now the extension programmes have successfully catered the purpose and supported to accomplish desired agricultural production. Even though various aspects related to future demand of agro-products for growing population, qualitative improvement of crops and soil for sustainable cropping system for the generations to come are on prime list of scholars. Depleting soil quality, decreasing nutritional component in the soil, illiteracy and less adaptability of recommendations, are the major issues that depends upon the education of major population involved in farming about latest developments. In order to fill the huge gap of information amongst researchers, scientists and technologists along with people involved in farming, a programme should be designed based on practical aspects and requirement of trainers and trainees at grass root-level. Training needs of agriculture officers observed in a study conducted by the team of Jawaharlal Nehru Agriculture University reveals that the respondents did not have the required information of improved varieties of crops, they were not acquainted with insecticides and pesticides. It was also learnt that they were neither able to identify pests, nor they recommended control measures. Therefore, they need short and long term training programmes which is most essential for agriculture officers. Extension personnel can perform better if they are given training in regular intervals to keep themselves updated regarding agriculture and its problems. The status of farmers on knowledge as well as adoption of recommended package of practices of crop production technology is of medium level. Adoption of improved crop varieties was faster than seed treatment, balance doze of chemical fertilisers and plant protection measures like insecticides, pesticides and herbicides.