ISSN (Print) - 0012-9976 | ISSN (Online) - 2349-8846

Articles by A SureshSubscribe to A Suresh

Reinventing Agricultural Extension System in India

Agricultural extension is critical to improve farm productivity and to translate the same into increased income. However, the agricultural extension system in India is facing a multitude of challenges. The support, in terms of policies and promotion, received by the agricultural sector even before the green revolution is gradually weakening. Private extension has been unable to match the requirements of a diverse and smallholder-dominated Indian agricultural sector. Restructuring of the Indian agricultural extension system is vital in developing the sector into a major source of growth in the Indian economy. 

Safety of Fisherfolk at Seas

Over 240 fisherfolk were missing after cyclone Ockhi hit India’s south-western coasts. Lack of adoption of safety measures points to gross negligence of safety of fisherfolk at sea. The mandatory suggestions of various international and national level agencies have been neglected. In this regard, synergistic action between policymakers, implementing agencies and fisherfolk is required to translate policies to action. Awareness generation and mandatory trainings are suggested to improve fisherfolk safety, while community support is vital for the success of policy enforcement.

Manipulating Technology for Surplus Extraction: The Case of Bt Cotton in India

The spread of Bt cotton has resulted in hybrid varieties wiping out true varieties. An impression has been created as if the adoption of Bt cotton necessitates the use of hybrids. This is an illusion created by the private sector to extract surplus through the sale of seed. This is in sharp contrast to the spread of Bt cotton elsewhere in the world where no hybrids are used. The strategy adopted by the private sector is rendering farmers' rights in seed infructuous and it throws a serious challenge to the public sector to provide an alternative in terms of varieties.

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