‘If agriculture goes wrong, nothing else can go right’

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: Prof MS Swaminathan, president, Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs, chairman, MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, and chairman, National Commission on Farmers, has his own ‘tryst with destiny’. He has submitted to the government the draft national policy for farmers, with a request for finalisation on August 15, 2007, the 60th anniversary of India’s Independence. The policy is expected to help ameliorate rural poverty and the problems of subsistence farmers.In an exclusive interview with FE’s Joseph Vackayil, Prof Swaminathan reflects on the action plan to achieve millennium development goals like poverty reduction, gender equality, better healthcare and improved literac.

India is gaining global attention for its economic growth. It is also internationally noticed for its lowest rankings on the human development index...

The Indian enigma lies in the prevailing dichotomy of islands of excellence and prosperity coexisting with hunger, malnutrition and deprivation. This is why the current emphasis is on inclusive growth. This is what Mahatma Gandhi recommended over 60 years ago, when he advocated the Antyodaya model of development. Unfortunately, the different Plan periods have helped enlarge the rich-poor divide. Among the reasons, rapid population growth and gender discrimination are important. There has not been a total commitment to achieving the goal of literacy for all. There has been no organised effort to bring about the technological empowerment of the socially and economically underprivileged sections of the society.

Does our political system have anything to do with the persistence of this duality in the economy?

The political class has always announced in speeches and advertisements its commitment to promoting literacy, improving health delivery systems and assuring opportunities for remunerative employment. However, the political will as expressed in speeches and writings is yet to be converted into action on a large scale.

Is one of the major reasons for rural poverty the non-implementation of land reforms and Minimum Wage Act, leading to low rural income?

The hesitant and partial implementation of land reforms is an important cause for economic inequity in rural India. Even where land reforms have been implemented with some degree of political commitment, the support services essential for the optimum use of land, including provision of irrigation water, energy and extension advice, have been lacking. The Minimum Wage Act has not been operating in most parts of the country except in some states like Kerala, particularly with reference to women labour.