Page 299 - DMGT509_RURAL MARKETING

Rural Marketing

Notes 2. Growth that is based on efficient use of resources and conserves our soil, water and
bio-diversity;
3. Growth with equity, i.e., growth which is widespread across regions and farmers;

4. Growth that is demand driven and caters to domestic markets and maximises benefits
from exports of agricultural products in the face of the challenges arising from
economic liberalization and globalisation;
5. Growth that is sustainable technologically, environmentally and economically.
The policy will seek to promote technically sound, economically viable, environmentally
non-degrading, and socially acceptable use of country’s natural resources, i.e. land, water
and genetic endowment to promote sustainable development of agriculture. Measures
will be taken to contain biotic pressures on land and to control indiscriminate diversion of
agricultural lands for non-agricultural purposes. The unutilized wastelands will be put to
use for agriculture and forestation. Particular attention will be given for increasing
cropping intensity through multiple-cropping and inter-cropping.
The Government accords abiding importance to improving the quality of the country’s
land and soil resources. Reclamation of degraded and fallow lands as well as problem
soils will be given high priority to optimize their productive use. Special emphasis will
be laid on conserving soils and enriching their fertility. Management of land resources on
watershed basis will receive special attention. Areas of shifting cultivation will also receive
particular attention for their sustainable development. Integrated and holistic development
of rainfed areas will be promoted by conservation of rain water by vegetative measures
on watershed basis and augmentation of biomass production through agro and farm
forestry with the involvement of the watershed community. All spatial components of a
watershed, i.e. arable land, non-arable and drainage lines will be treated as one geo-
hydrological entity. Management of grazing land will receive greater attention for
augmenting availability of animal feed and fodder. A long-term perspective plan for
sustainable rainfed agriculture through watershed approach will be vigorously pursued
for development of two thirds of India’s cropped area which is dependent on rains.
Rational utilization and conservation of the country’s abundant water resources will be
promoted. Conjunctive use of surface and ground water will receive highest
priority. Special attention will be focused on water quality and the problem of receding
groundwater levels in certain areas as a result of over-exploitation of underground aquifers.
Proper on-farm management of water resources for the optimum use of irrigation potential
will be promoted. Use of in situ moisture management techniques such as mulching and
use of micro overhead pressured irrigation systems like drip and sprinkler and green
house technology will be encouraged for greater water use efficiency and improving
productivity, particularly of horticultural crops. Emphasis will be placed on promotion of
water harvesting structures and suitable water conveyance systems in the hilly and high
rainfall areas for rectification of regional imbalances. Participatory community irrigation
management will be encouraged.
Erosion and narrowing of the base of India’s plant and animal genetic resources in the last
few decades has been affecting the food security of the country. Survey and evaluation of
genetic resources and safe conservation of both indigenous and exogenously introduced
genetic variability in crop plants, animals and their wild relatives will receive particular
attention. The use of biotechnologies will be promoted for evolving plants which consume
less water, are drought resistant, pest resistant, contain more nutrition, give higher yields
and are environmentally safe. Conservation of bio-resources through their ex situ
preservation in Gene Banks, as also in situ conservation in their natural habitats through
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