From green to ‘evergreen revolution’

From green to ‘evergreen revolution’

  “From Green Revolution we should now move on to an Evergreen Revolution by increasing productivity in perpetuity without associated ecological harm”, said Dr. M.S. Swaminathan. He was speaking on the topic Bio-diversity, ‘Sustainable food security and Green economy’ at the National Symposium on Sustainable Management of Bio-diversity using science and technology.                

  Dr. Swaminathan observed that it is high time we switch over to methods like green agriculture, organic farming along with adopting methods like conservation farming with the help of integrated pest management, integrated nutrient supply, and integrated natural resource management. “Conservation of Biodiversity, its better utilisation, and distribution of benefits ensuring equality will lead the nation to sustainable development’. If farm ecology and economics go wrong, nothing else will go right. The interest in agriculture is on the decline; more youngsters should come forward to sustain the sector. In the field of research also, the support is diminishing” opined the celebrated scientist.

  Green economy along with social inclusiveness is the policy which is to be adapted for the 21st centaury. “The future belongs to nations with grains, not guns” he added.

  Dr. Swaminathan suggested a combination of ‘pre-breeding and participatory breeding’, as the new approach for the betterment of agricultural productivity. The breeds developed in laboratories must be given to farmers and they must be cultivated in large scale with the help of scientists. Traditional knowledge of rural communities must be exploited while implementing modern techniques.

  He said that curbing the growth of food demand of developed countries’ is essential to reduce the rising food print which is exceeding over bio capacity. The energy wastage by rich people is one of the many reasons for diminishing productivity. 

  Dr. Swaminathan observed that accessibility to food is more important than availability of food. He suggested a number of policy options to improve food security including tough regulatory oversight of commodity market, increasing transparency in exchange trading and clearing of most agricultural commodity contracts. He proposed government agencies with the authority to regulate over the counter derivatives.

  He hoped the government will pass the proposed Food Security Bill while ensuring adaptation of a life cycle approach with special attention to the first 1000 days in a child’s life. . “But these days, awareness and analysis are going well but no actions are being taken.” he observed.

  The annual session and symposium of NASI will end tomorrow with Children’s Science Meet and Valedictory Session.

Another green revolution starts

Another green revolution starts

Anju V Padma

Trivandrum: The Students Empowerment for Environmental Development (SEED) of Mathrubhumi in association  with the Coconut Development Board (CDB) has started a new venture named ‘Ente Thengu’. This programme aims to pave way for a green culture with the participation of students in the schools in Kerala.

           

            Being a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project, the programme is planned to be launched in 38 educational districts which came first in the survey of SEED. It will help the student community to create an attachment  towards Kerala’s once most cultivated coconut trees.

           

            The formal inauguration of ente thengu started with a training programme on 30th September with the participation of all the co-ordinators from 38 educational districts. As a part of this programme, each school is provided with 15 coconut plants which should be planted in the school campus itself.

            Trained teacher co-ordinaters will guide the students to look after the planted trees. All the technical support and guidance will be given by the Coconut Development Board. Continuous monitoring and updating of details of the planted trees should be done by the Principal or Headmaster of the school to the CDB and SEED. The first review meeting for the project is scheduled to be conducted soon. There will be inspections and enquiry done by SEED jury members and the officers from the Environment Protection Committee, Alwaye.

           

            The period of activity of SEED project will be from June to December. As a pilot project ‘Ente Thengu’ is expected to plant 1, 50,000 coconut trees in 10,000 schools in Kerala by the last week of October 2011. “If we are successful in our mission, within a few years, Kerala will be filled with coconut trees”, says Rakesh, co-ordinator of SEED programme.