Concentrating on family farming and technology
SCIENTISTS' role in ensuring global food security is evident. The world's most renowned rice scientist and the father of hybrid rice, Yuan Longping, has ensured food security for the highest populated country of the world, China. In a developing country like Bangladesh, there have been contributions from many scientists, including the greats like Dr. K.M. Badruddoza, Dr. Hasanuzzaman, and Dr. Noor Mohammad. Their persistent research endeavour, initiatives from extension workers at field-level and, above all, the valuable labour invested by our farmers could ensure food security for this agrarian country. To achieve the impossible, a scientific process has worked like a force behind this success.
I remember what father of hybrid rice Yuan Longping said to me: “A government that focuses on science and technology will certainly move that country forward.” The research has to be in the field, or else there will be no result. Green Revolution was a success through which food security was ensured for the ever-increasing population of the world. It was a revolutionary advancement. It clearly proves science and technology have always played the most vital role in the expansion of agricultural civilisation.
During March-April this year, I had the privilege to visit Rwanda to attend the 2nd Global Conference on Biofortification. I had the opportunity to meet world famous agricultural scientists and agro-policymakers. I met the 'Indian Father of Green Revolution,' Dr. Swaminthan. During an exclusive interview he said: “Yes we're adding vitamins in the crops and vegetables, but the soil has no nutrients.” “We've made the soil infertile due to heavy use of chemical fertilizers and it has now lost its nutrients,” he added. “As long as we can't make the soil nutrient-rich, no efforts will work. If there is no soil, how can there be produce,” said the legendary geneticist.
In 1970, Bangladesh had about 9.7 million hectares of cultivable land for nearly 70 million people. Bangladesh back then used to import around 2 million tons of rice. Now, land has decreased drastically, some say it's 8.5 million hectares, and some say it's below 8 million hectares. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension it's over 9 million hectares. The population has more than doubled after liberation, but the country has seen threefold increase in food grain production. We didn't only become self- sufficient in food grain production, but also gradually started exporting our rice. It was possible due to internationally accredited research, evidence-based policy and timely farming-friendly initiatives.
The world is now at a state of stable food security. Yes, there is extreme hunger and poverty in underdeveloped countries of the African continent. However, the overall poverty across the world came down quite impressively. World Food Day is being observed across the globe with the main theme, 'Family Farming: Feeding the world, caring for the earth.' The theme clearly states the present need is different. There are many significant issues which are already attached with the concern for food security. Almost two billion people of the world are faced with hidden hunger, which means they suffer from malnutrition. We have seen diversified research initiatives to tackle this major concern, the scene is still unchanged. It is said that if a child is faced with nutrition deficiency during its first two years, it will be impossible to make up the deficiency. Globally, GDP comes down by 10% as a result of nutrition deficiency.
On September 29, I was invited as a panelist on IFDC's 40th Anniversary held in Washington D.C. to take part in a discussion on global food security and how technology can be an effective aid. The world is looking at the global agricultural issues with common objectives. The importance of nutritious diet, soil health and other issues were discussed by the panel. In the past, we focused more on the increase of production. Because of this, the soil has lost its inner strength, or the organic matter. To bring back these vital ingredients, global policymakers, researchers, extension workers and media professionals agreed on the same goal and committed to work hand in hand. Bangladesh was represented as a role model in the discussion. At the same time, the efficient application of guti urea (Urea Super Granule) by our farmers was also discussed. Returning organic qualities to the soil would be the best achievement, and that is the prime demand.
Bringing down the production cost, ensuring fair price for farmers and development of livelihood status are three major areas to concentrate on. This is where the issues of technology, indigenous knowledge and science come in. It takes 50 kgs of urea to produce rice from one bigha land, this but amount can be reduced by two-third by using USG. If farmers use Leaf Colour Chart they can measure what amount of urea fertilizer they actually need in the field. By doing this, they can reduce the use of fertilizer hugely. The question is why are these technologies not spreading across the world? The demand can be cut to half if the advanced technologies are properly implemented. If that is done, first of all, production cost will come down. With it, soil and environment will remain healthy. Carbon emission can also be reduced. To keep the fertilizer elements active in the field, farmers use more water. Methane is produced through this process. Methane and carbon dioxide are very harmful for the environment and climate. Advanced, effective and cost saving technologies are keys to achieving a healthy environment and a constructive farming sector.
Family farming has been valued as the most important issue in this year's World Food Day. Across the world, the heritage of family farming is becoming extinct. Many of the ancient farming families are leaving the tracks of their forefathers and moving to non-farming professions. Most of the land owners in Bangladesh are stepping away from farming. Those who are cultivating are sharecroppers. However, there is no alternative but to bring back the true heritage of farming -- and that is family farming. The government must take special measures to give more incentives to family farming. If there is no family farming, there will be no agricultural culture in future, which will eventually affect food security.
Considering all these, the United Nations has announced 2014 as the 'International Year of Family Farming.' Family farming, reviving soil quality and protecting it, giving more importance to nutrition are the most vital challenges ahead of us, and if we don't achieve those we can never be able to achieve 'food security,' 'safe food' and 'healthy world' in reality.
The writer is an Agriculture Development and Media Activist. He is an Ashoka Fellow and an FAO A.H. Boerma Awardee. At Channel i, he is Director and Head of News. He is also Director, Planner and Presenter of the popular Agro-Documentary "Hridoye Mati O Mansuh". E-mail: [email protected]
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