Gandhiji's Vision of Agriculture and ICAR's Achievements
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Mahatma Gandhi’s Vision of Agriculture: Achievements of ICAR Editors H Pathak Suresh Pal T Mohapatra Indian Council of Agricultural Research Department of Agricultural Research and Education New Delhi www.icar.org.in Printed: October 2020 Citation Pathak H, Suresh Pal and Mohapatra T (2020) Mahatma Gandhi’s Vision of Agriculture: Achievements of ICAR. Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi. p 228. All Rights Reserved © 2020, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi. ISBN No. : 978-81-7164-206-9 Published by Dr S.K. Singh, Project Director, Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Krishi Anusandhan Bhawan I, Pusa, New Delhi 110 012 and printed at M/s. Royal Offset Printers, A-89/1, Naraina Industrial Area, Phase-I, New Delhi-110028. MESSAGE Mahatma Gandhi has inspired generations to maintain peace and harmony in the world. His vision of agriculture and rural development is globally acclaimed as a strategy for inclusive growth and collective governance. Development of agro-industries in the villages, upscaling of rural innovations and empowerment of people through skill development and education were central to the prosperity of rural areas and poverty reduction. The global experience has shown that the countries following the path of decentralization and rural industrialization have achieved faster economic growth and reduction in poverty. In India, the development of Panchayati Raj Institutions has shown its impact on the strengthening of the third tier of democracy, participatory development and empowerment of women. Development of agriculture in harmony with nature, sustainable use of resources and protection from market-generated vulnerability have been the main pillars of sustainable development. These fundamentals of agriculture are still relevant when there is so much risk originating from unstable markets. Technological advancements have been useful in the sustainable increase in agricultural productivity and reduction of risk. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), an apex organization in the country, has contributed to the innovation-led agricultural growth following the Gandhian principles. Development of favourable production environments, addressing the needs of resource-poor farmers, promoting rural livelihoods, skill development of farmers, including women, have been some of the important benefits. I compliment ICAR for bringing out this publication “Mahatma’s Vision of Agriculture: Achievements of ICAR” highlighting its endeavors to realize the Gandhian vision. This publication will be useful for policymakers and public agencies working for agriculture and rural development to follow the Gandhian way of development. Narendra Singh Tomar Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Government of India Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi iii MESSAGE The country is celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, ‘Father of the Nation’. He was a leader, philosopher, writer, and social reformer who worked with the masses for their welfare. His simple living and high thinking inspired millions of people in India and abroad, including several leaders in the world. Gandhiji devoted his life to the upliftment of the poor, untouchables and the weakest man in the society. Truthfulness and non-violence were the cornerstones of his philosophy and approach to life. He wanted the village to be the central place in the national economic development with strong social, economic and spiritual values. He firmly believed that India lives and will live in her villages, not in towns and the path of development, therefore, goes through rural development. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has played a pioneering role in ushering the Green Revolution in the country and subsequent developments in other areas of agriculture. The recent experience of COVID-19 has shown that Indian agriculture is resilient to external shocks and can contribute to the inclusiveness of the economy. This is possible through the application of science and technology in agriculture. The Council has played a major role in promoting excellence in education and building human capital for agriculture, as envisaged by Gandhiji. The celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of Gandhiji is the occasion to reaffirm our faith in this development approach and apply to address the challenges in the years to come. The volume on hands is an example of the achievements of ICAR and its approach in addressing the developments like climate resilience, conservation of resources, and inclusiveness. The publication has spelled out the contributions of the Council in improving agricultural productivity, ensuring food, nutritional and livelihood security, protecting the environment, and promoting small agri-enterprises. These contributions also contribute to the development objective of the government of Atma Nirbhar Bharat. I compliment the Council for bringing out this publication to show its contributions to realize the vision of Gandhiji. I am sure the readers shall find the publication useful and take the task forward for the betterment of the society. Kailash Choudhary Minister of State, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Government of India Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi v FOREWORD Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi led the freedom struggle against the British empire and emerged as a global leader of masses, disadvantageous and poor people. He has shown the way of social, economic and political transformation with small steps to serve the rural poor. Non- violence, truthfulness, democratic institutions, village industry and people-centric approach were his main principles and teachings. He had led several movements to pursue the cause of Indian farmers, including famous protest of Champaran in 1917. These movements motivated the farmers and rural workers to join the freedom struggle. Mahatma Gandhi firmly believed that prosperity of agriculture and farmers should pave the way for economic prosperity of the country. This belief has been reaffirmed in the agricultural development process followed in India and other developing countries. Evidences are now available indicating that agricultural growth has significant impacts on reduction of poverty and promotion of social and economic equity. The pandemic of COVID-19 has further established that agriculture is a strong pillar to absorb economic shocks and build resilience to economic growth. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has been at the forefront to propel agricultural development through development and dissemination of technology, building human capital and establishing the rural centres to serve the farmers. The Council has developed partnerships with the organizations serving farmers and rural people. One of the important components of ICAR strategy is increasing agricultural productivity in harmony with nature. The needs of unprivileged farmers, marginal production environments, and rural youth have been accorded high priority in research programs of the Council. Similarly, gender mainstreaming, outscaling of farmers’ innovations, farmers’ participatory approach, and institutional change for higher efficiency has been corner stones of research approach of ICAR. The Council has followed the principles of Mahatma Gandhi to make Indian agriculture prosperous, empower farmers, and strengthen village institutions. The efforts made by the Krishi Vigyan Kendras to develop skills of rural women and small farmers, and to provide services at the doorstep of farmers have contributed to the Gandhian vision. This publication documents the major contributions of ICAR to promote sustainable development, technological empowerment of people in inaccessible areas, enhance value of farm produce, and promote rural livelihood. Conservation of biodiversity, soil and water, yield improvement of millets in hill areas, improvement of indigenous cattle, goat development, support for fishermen and food processing options for households are some of the notable examples. vii I compliment the authors for bringing out this publication that shall be useful for policy makers and public agencies to take the task of agriculture and rural development on the Gandhian way. This is the need of the hour when there is weakening of the values of rural communities and rising pressure on natural resources. Trilochan Mohapatra Secretary, DARE and DG, ICAR Government of India Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi viii PREFACE India is celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the ‘Mahatma’, ‘Father of the Nation’. He was a leader, politician, saint, philosopher, thinker, writer, social reformer and educationist who worked for the masses and with the masses. His plain living and high thinking inspired millions of people in India and abroad. Gandhiji devoted his life for upliftment of the poor, downtrodden, untouchables and the last man of the society. With the struggle and efforts of Gandhiji, the “dumb millions” found their voice; the disinherited recovered their heritage and the disarmed won a great battle with moral force. Truthfulness and non-violence were the corner stones of his thinking, philosophy and personality. The whole world celebrates the United Nations International Day of Non-violence on October 2nd each year, the Mahatma’s birthday, to pay homage and respect to this great man. To the Mahatma, true independence meant wiping every tear from the face of every Indian. He wanted the village