‘India moving from green revolution to agriculture revolution’

Two-day food system dialogue kicks off at Ranchi

Ranchi, July 18: India is moving from green revolution to agriculture revolution (AR) with modern technologies dominating AR where foods will be prepared in factories impacting farmers.

These views were shared by distinguished food and trade policy analyst and agriculture scientist Dr Devinder Sharma while delivering the keynote speech on “How is food systems transformation happening in India in reality?” during the inaugural day of the two-day long second Food System dialogue held at a private hotel in Ranchi on Tuesday.

“There is a different perspective to look at food system at the moment. We are moving from green revolution to agriculture revolution (AR) 4.0 with modern technologies dominating AR wherein food will be prepared in factories,” informed Sharma who holds a master degree in plant breeding and genetics.

“We need to have a system centred on farmers and marketing of agricultural products. However, at the moment it is moving toward a food system getting concentrated in the hands of Billionaires who will manage food systems,” added Sharma.

“During lockdown agriculture  was the only bright aspect. To make food system viable we need policies so that farmers get the dedired price for product. We need to rebuild agriculture. Farmers in Punjab produce 11 ton wheat per hectare and still . economists say they are lazy farmers,” argued Sharma.

He said that average income of farmer in India 10,000.

Jamshedpur East MLA and former Jharkhand food supply and consumer affairs minister Saryu Roy claimed that he has been raising food security issues from time to time.

“Though there are talks of food being made in factories it is not sustainable. We need to focus on agriculture and related services for sustainability and there is an urgent need to ensure farmers can compete on an even keel in global market,” stressed Roy who is known for raising issues related to environment and food security at various forums.

He also said that every country has its own systems to deal with crisis and that agriculture is necessary for survival of all sectors in the country.

Well known social activist working to uphold farmers’ rights and promoting sustainable farm livelihoods, Kavitha Kuruganti said that food producers are also consumers.

“Food producers are also consumers. Those who are undernourished, hungry are integral part of agriculture system. There is a need to revive food diversity especially with the threat of climate change apparent in current times,” said Kavitha, the founder convenor of Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture (ASHA).

She stressed on adopting de-growth model, reviving forest as food producing habitat and rights of tribals over it and initiating dialogue at every level for awareness.

Assistant executive director Caritas India, Father Jolly Puthenpura stressed on promoting responsible consumption and responsible production and focussed on five Ps—people, plant, production, progress and partnerships.

He also felt that civil society organisations create good sustainable models and called for strengthening government  organisations and NGO partnership.

Incidentally,  outcomes of this dialogue will contribute to the Food Systems Stocktaking Moment at the UN Food Systems summit scheduled between July 24-26 at Rome, Italy this year.  The stocktaking moment aims to raise awareness and generate momentum towards sustainable food systems while providing an opportunity to consolidate national and sub-national learnings.

The food systems had discussion on subjects like ensure access to safe and nutritious food for all, shift to sustainable consumption patterns, boost nature-positive production, advance equitable livelihoods and build resilience to vulnerabilities, shocks and stress.

Welthungerhilfe (WHH), Bhoomi Ka, The RRA Network, Caritas India, National Law School University (NLSU) and Phia Foundation were sponsors of the event.