Green ideas for capital farmers

When a project of this kind is involved, biodiversity and environmental aspects, a generation of database of all biodiversity, socio-economic impact, relief and rehabilitation need to be addressed. But they are missing in the master plan. Since it will take many years to fully develop the capital area, farmers who have been assured 1,140 yards of developed land must be given the land on priority. They can adopt green house cultivation and sustain themselves. This will also help protect environmental balance

A Singapore team has visualised for Andhra Pradesh a core capital area of 217 sqkm, largely consisting of 29 villages in Guntur district; 33,000 acres are to be acquired by way of land pooling. It is estimated that it will take in the seed capital, and 15 years are required to develop the capital area fully.

The region is a treasure trove of agri biodiversity. The farmers cultivate three crops a year – mainly banana, flowers, vegetable crops and paddy etc. Most of the varieties are specific to region as well as to farmers, who have acquired expertise in cultivation over several generations. Each species may have several sub-varieties endemic to the region.

The cultivated region is associated with wild weed flora, bushes and trees. In fact wild weeds will have often medicinal value. For instance billaganneru (Catharanthusroseus) is the source for vincristine, a drug for cancer. Another weed often found is nelausiri (Phyllanthusamarus) a trusted medicine for liver diseases and jaundice. Likewise livestock biodiversity, fauna and aqua biodiversity also cannot be ignored.

Soon, this lush green area will turn into concrete jungle involving displacement of farmers. When a project of this kind is involved, biodiversity and environmental aspects, a generation of database of all biodiversity, socioeconomic impact, relief and rehabilitation need to be addressed. Irrespective of the laws of the land, any international aid agency will first seek this report and get itself satisfied that environment is not endangered.

But, the Singapore government does not seem to have had this in mind before releasing the master plan. Therefore, a critical study of these aspects is called for by the government, public institutions, universities and NGOs, in view of the massive wealth of biodiversity, especially of the agri sector, in the region.

There are a quite a number of institutions like Lamagricultural farm (which will become AP Agriculture University), Guntur, Biotechnology Department of Nagarjuna university, and two private universities (K L and Vignan universities) are around. The well-laid tasks for them, which, perhaps, they may be eager to undertake, could be to: a) create a database of all kinds of biodiversity by video digitization; b)undertake in-situ and ex-situ conservation; c) propagate by way of cultivating in small farms for continuous regeneration; d) acquaint themselves with techniques for multi-crop cultivation by farmers; e) study micro-propagation by tissue culture for large-scale cultivation in some other non-CRDA areas; and f) identify sub-varieties of crops by PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) technique etc.

The last PCR technique may be carried out by the Biotechnology Department, Nagarujuna University. Phytochemistry and nutrition aspects of these crop varieties should also be examined by the Chemistry Departments of Universities. These tasks may also be assigned to M.Phil or PhD students.

At the moment, farmers are in a state of euphoria that they are getting Rs 50,000 per year with no work and 1,000 yards of developed plots and 140 yards of commercial plots per acre nearby. They believe these plots would fetch crores and crores of rupees. However, this is a golden dream which may be realised after 15 years of full development.

In the Singapore plan, the actual area to be given to farmers is not pointed out. With Google, taking three or four reference points, virtual survey could be done, with an error of one meter. Virtual survey can be followed by real survey and the 1,000 yards and 140 yards developed plots with plot numbers need to be given on priority right now. Some farmers may even construct houses immediately. This is an excellent relief and rehabilitation plan.

There are better incomes earning plans for displaced farmers. With 1140 sq yards they could raise nurseries, flowers, vegetable crops after constructing polyshade nets (green houses), drip/sprinkle irrigation all-round the year. This intensive greenhouse cultivation in 1,140 yards fetches as much income as one acre would yield.

These farmers may have to wait at least 15 years to sell their 1,000 yards. If this area is subdivided into five plots, it is estimated that there would be two lakh plots. When all these plots are up for sale, how many years will they take to be sold? It is better that farmers concentrate on green house cultivation right now.

If farmers show sufficient interest, the government should give straight away half-an-acre with green house facility, instead of 1,140 sq yard developed plots. If farmers sit ideal, socio-economic problems will creep in. The assessment of biodiversity and alternative occupation to displaced farmers is not addressed in the new capital plan.

(Nagaiah is a senior principal scientist with IICT, Hyderabad, and Srimannarayana is a retired Chemistry Professor of Osmania University, Hyderabad)

By Dr K Nagaiah & Prof G Srimannarayana