Friday 16 September 2011

GMOS- why blames me?


Now-a-days news is full of rush and crispy talks on GMOS (genetically modified organisms).
 It is in the news that some multinational Agri-tech firms like MONSANTO has developed genetically modified organisms for rescuing the farming communities with new findings and development.
 It is reported that American Agri-tech giant, Monsanto has the credit of developing several GMOS for the crops like cotton, maize and vegetables.
 Similarly, several other Agriculture based multinational companies has also reported to have developed many such biological wonder for furthering the agriculture farming in the World. 
     In India, during the year 2000 or so, some uproar was created due to Bt. Cotton which was developed  for controlling the insect pest; Cotton Boll worm.
  As per reports, field trial had been conducted in the cotton growing belt of the country but no empirical evidence or reports had been made public officially describing its performance and subsequent affects on the environment.
   It was rumored that Bt. Cotton has deleterious affects on the surroundings and there was protest by some organization against the introduction of Bt.cotton in the country.
      Recently, in India there was debate in the matter of introduction of the GMOS in the country while the Government entrusted the matter to the empowered groups but the public or more realistically the farming communities is still under the dark.
   In America and many other developed countries also, there are talks of resentment, suspicion and protests.
   The matter of the fact is; GMOS as a concept and development is in fact one of the bio-technological wonder ever developed with the application of finest mind.
    But the problem seems to be nobody is disclosing the matter of the facts in details. The Government, the developers should come out openly and disclose to the public with all empirical or trial reports indicating every pros and cons of GMOS.
   Unless and until the matter is authenticated by the state or statutory body then these GMOS would definitely meet the un-rewarded innings.

Tripura, India in the World map of Rubber Production

Tripura, a small state in north-east India has secured a formidable position in natural Rubber Production.
 In India, Tripura ranks second in natural rubber production and closely competing the Kerala. Rubber, a plantation crop has given a sigh relief to the marginalized farmers of Tripura.
 Decades ago, people of the state would keep their allotted lands in fallow and un-productive but now, finding a land is the problem.
 In Tripura, virtually all land is occupied or under the cultivation of Rubber. Why not? A hectare (10,000 square meters) of Rubber plantation gives return of Rs. 40,000/- to Rs. 50,000/- per month which is sufficient for a family in rural Tripura.
Rubber cultivation in Tripura has started during 1960’s but momentum and monumental activities in terms of increase in area of cultivation and acceptance of the people started during 1990’s.
 In the initial days, rubber cultivation was confined to the particular area with particular group. It was due to the fact that rubber production was bit expensive and gestation period is more and rate of rubber in the market not satisfactory.
 However, timely intervention by the Government has brought the paradigm shift in the mindset of people and people of the Tripura have accepted the new plantation with great enthusiasm.
 Unless target group is fully satisfied and convinced, any external intervention for change would be very meager.
Thanks to the Government of India in Ministry of Commerce by ensuring the services of rubber board of India.
Thanks to the Government in Tribal Welfare Department by rendering welfare services and creating awareness to the Scheduled Tribes population of the state.
 Now, the next step is rubber product based activities in the state with the objective of employment generation!