M.S. Swaminathan in Ranchi. Telegraph picture

Ranchi, Dec. 23: “I have not come across such vast stretches of barren agriculture fields,” said eminent agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan, after visiting the tribal-dominated districts of Gumla and Simdega.

The scientist made many suggestions to the government to improve the state of agriculture in the state.

He spoke of farming of high-yield hybrid pigeon-pea, a leguminous variety, during the rabi season. This would trigger generation of pulses.

SAZs or special agriculture zones in agrarian-stressed districts were also proposed.

He said a post-harvesting technology wing by Krishi Vigyan Kendras would ensure that farmers reap maximum output from their products. “Small rainwater-harvest structures on the pattern of Maharashtra would help agriculture during the rabi season. Besides, quail-rearing instead of poultry-farming (as poultry population across the world is affected by resistant viruses) would support farmers,” said Swaminathan.

The state records a surplus production in varieties like tomato, cauliflower, cabbage, French beans and capsicum. Swaminathan feels that a “vegetable cargo” system, which would airlift packaged and semi-processed vegetable products, would prove beneficial.

Swaminathan also exposed government’s failure in the irrigation and agriculture sector. Here, production of rabi crops are abysmally low, the state only depends on rain-fed agriculture during the monsoon and large stretches of fields witness single-cropping.

State agriculture minister Nalin Soren, who could not meet Swaminathan, said: “The government would implement the recommendations made by the eminent scientist. Things would be achieved through effective participation of the agriculture directorate and the National Horticulture Mission.”

Director (research) of Birsa Agriculture University, B.N. Singh, who attended two meetings conducted by Swaminathan, said: “We are planning to distribute seeds of hybrid pigeon-pea variety to progressive farmers of all 212 blocks of the state. We are sending scientists to Hyderabad to learn more about it.”

Gene campaign’s Suman Sahay stressed preservation of traditional germplasm of plant varieties like paddy, so that high-yielding hybrid varieties could be produced. Besides, emphasis was also laid on organic farming.

Keeping in mind the small-holdings of fields by farmers, Swaminathan suggested a small farm management system whereby marginal farmers could be provided with technological knowledge of agriculture, animal husbandry and horticulture.