Category: Agriculture

In the context of the WTO, the issue relates to the effect of trade distorting subsidies on the related and interconnected aspects of a multi- functional agriculture. While it is known that subsidies to the dairy farmers in Europe and US depresses the domestic price of milk and milk products for the milk producers of the developing countries, it is difficult to assess the impact that non-rearing of cattle as an adjunct to the family farm will have on the multi-functionality of agriculture in larger parts of Asia and Africa. At a more fundamental level, the question is should the term for the milk and meat products of Europe and US be called the dairy farm sector, or the dairy industry for it is more in the nature of an industrial production process, rather than an agricultural operation. Proponents argue that the current patterns of agricultural subsidies, international trade and the related policy frameworks do not facilitate a transition towards an equitable agriculture and food trade relations or sustainable food and farming systems.

On the contrary, these have given rise to perverse impacts on natural resources and agro ecologies, as well as on human health and nutrition. Raj Patels book Stuffed and Starved which was reviewed by this column, subscribes to this view. They suggest that while knowledge, information and technologies of agriculture should have free circulation, agriculture production should be rooted in the local context and respond to the multiple needs of the community, and contribute those resources to the community which have traditionally beenassociated with agriculture. However, the other view, which also has a fair number of proponents, including those from the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) affiliated International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) argues that any attempt to remedy these outcomes by means of trade related instruments will weaken the efficiency of agricultural trade and lead to further distortions in the market. They argue that the number of rural households which do not depend on any kind of agricultural activity is rising, and therefore the multi-functionality has little meaning, especially for the poorest and most deprived sections, which do not have access to any land, including homestead land.

There is some empirical truth in this fact as well, for the numbers of landless labour in India (who do not have any rights over land) are more than the total number of marginal and small farmers. Thus, multi-functionality has no meaning for them, or the large numbers of the urban poor, whose primary concern is the access to affordable nutrition, rather than a return to the highly romanticized versions of bucolic climes!

AgriMatters would go with the proponents, because there are ways in which multi-functionality can be integrated into the lives of almost everyone who lives in the countryside. As governments and communities across the world recognize the right to

shelter, and the provision of a small plot for homestead land is getting the status of a Fundamental Right, it would be possible for landless workers to grow timber, vegetable, fruits and nuts both for self consumption, and the market, as also keep engaged in backyard poultry, duckery and a few goats and/or milch cattle. In other words, agriculture is so integral to the farmers and farm workers that it cannot be subject to decisions based on the manipulation /calibration of statistical tables and projected scenarios.

Agriculture has been backbone of Indian economy sine ancient times. Agriculture has been basic occupation for Indian people. Near about 70 percent of population in India is dependent on agriculture for its livelihood. Plenty of fertile land is available in India. Fertile land is favorable for production of fruits, crops, minerals etc. Farmers take care of entire process of agriculture like sowing seeds, harvesting crops, watering, etc. The equipments used for plough, tractor, bullocks etc. Nowadays farmers are using modern technologies and equipments for agriculture purpose.
India is well known for its agriculture knowledge. People from different places come here to study agriculture science. Maximum revenue is generated from agriculture sector in India. Farmers in India are well soil, land fertility, quality of seeds, etc. Farmers have knowledge about what to produce and when. In recent past number of poor farmers are committing suicide due to improper cultivation and loss in the field. Government has introduces several schemes and concessions to farmers. Government is also providing education to farmers about how to increase the productivity of land. Initially farmers used the fertilizers, pesticides, and seeds un-proportionally which reduces the productivity of land. Now government is taking care that farmers are educated properly about every activities in farming. Government is taking-care that farmers receive good return from their cultivations.
In present scenario there are many places in India where agriculture is not given importance. People fail to understand the importance of this sector. Very few people select this field as career or occupation. In India farmers are manipulated by middlemens. They just look for commissions and income for themselves but forget the hard work of farmers. Even today in some places farmers are exploited by the landlords. The revenues from agriculture sector have increased after introduction of modern technologies in farming. Now government is also taking several measures to improve this sector. Many changes and improvements are required to increase the revenue generated from this sector.
In small region of India the system of landlords still exists. Farmers take loans from the landlords but fail to return it as less revenue is generated. As a penalty the landlords capture or takeover the land of farmers. Some of the drawbacks in Indian agriculture are improper irrigation facilities, scarcity of essential commodities, and low financial ability of farmers, non availability of quality seeds, fertilizer and chemicals. The result of these entire drawbacks is backwardness of agriculture in India. Considering the serious issued in agriculture sector government is taking several measures to improve the productivity of agriculture sector.

Wolfberry is the name given to the Chinese and European variety of the Goji berry. It actually goes by many other names and has more than 100 species. The Lyceum Barbarum Wolfberry is the most popular species of this plant. It is the best tasting one and is used for making Goji juice and for medicinal uses in Asia and India.

The Wolfberry is a shrub that can grow up to 10 feet with trailing vines spreading to up to 20 feet. In China it is cultivated in large plantations for commercial use. These commercial farms use conventional chemical methods to grow the Wolfberry and protect it from insect damage. The largest growing area is the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, in Northern China. This is where they grow the Lyceum Barbarum Wolfberry. This species was originally taken from Tibet and the Himalayan region.

Other varieties of this plant can be found growing wild in various parts of the world including the UK. It is known as the Wolfberry and also has other names, like The Box Thorn Fruit and The Matrimony Vine Fruit. This plant grows wild in the cooler parts of Europe and Asia.

In Tibet and Inner Mongolia the Wolfberry is known as the Goji Berry. It is one of the protected medicinal plants in this area. Because of its use as a medicine plant the Wolfberry is grown organically there with no additional chemicals. The areas it grows in are labeled as “wild places” and are relatively untouched by urban development. An organization Co-op for the Goji farmers that ensures they get fair prices and help continue growing Wolfberry plants, was created in 1975. The Tanaduk Institute has also helped to protect the medicinal plants grown in this region. Several monasteries in India also grow medicinal plants including the Wolfberry. They are grown organically here and are sold on a limited basis.

The plants are quite easy to grow and can be started from seed. The seeds take around 7 days to germinate. The Wolfberry can also be cultivated from roots. It is resistant to drought and can withstand temperatures of -15 degrees Fahrenheit in winter and up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit in summer. The Wolfberry prefers light soil for optimum growth but will grow in any soil. Ideally the plant prefers full sunlight but will also grow in partial shade.

You can cultivate The Wolfberry in containers. If you do this, you need to hand pollinate the Wolfberry flowers, to get the fruit. The fruits are quite vulnerable to insect damage so you should take steps to protect the plants when they are producing fruit. The Wolfberry plants begin to bear fruit from the age of 1 year and will produce heavy crops when they are between 4 and 5 years old. They start to bloom in early summer and develop fruit in late summer. The Wolfberry will continue to bear fruit until the first severe frost. The best way to get the maximum health benefits from this plant is to try to grow it naturally without chemicals, herbicides or insecticides.