Tapan Kumar Giri
Phd (Floriculture)
The corona crisis has impacted several sectors and regarded as the most destructive disaster to mankind since last few decades engulfing almost all countries of the world. As of date this pandemic has affected 2 million people worldwide and the death toll is soaring high at 1.5 lakhs.
Both the state Govt. of Odisha and the central Govt. with a bold step to control the spread o this highly contagious disease has enforced country wide lockdown which has shifted the country to a halt. Though the economic loss rendered by this pandemic is still to be estimated, the most important sector affected badly is the livelihoods of common people.
Agriculture is affected in northern India due to the Rabi crop, but in Odisha the affect is less. Animal husbandry sector has been facing a troublesome growth due to false rumors on poultry. How ever the availability of feed and fodder has been a greater issue for farmers and traders. How ever the plight of the flower growers have crossed over every other else. Both flower growers and traders have been incurring null business opportunities.
However the future of the country will be harsh if prior measures are not taken now. Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture and Rural development and Panchayati Raj Mr. Narendra Singh Tomar in a press meet told that Agriculture sector needs to be focused and state Govt. must work rigorously towards ensuring productivity and doubling farm incomes for this kharif. Panchayats have to play a key role in ensuring this wit collaboration of Department of Agriculture.
Hence the agricultural activities are exempted from the current lock down scenario. It’s high time when farmers need to ensure their fields be ready for next crop. Field preparation, summer ploughing and procurement of seeds must be ensured at their end. But one thing they must do and panchayats must take initiatives in execution is the procurements of seeds and sowing of Green manuring crops now.
It will improve soil conditions and ensure better productivity in Kharif crops and will boost the farm income thus realizing the thoughts of the Hon’ble minister. Panchayats need to ensure procurement and distribution of green manuring crop seeds at farmers’ level for the time being.
Afterwards, there must be procurement of seed materials, fertilizers, pesticides etc for all farmers and panchayats must ensure it in line with respective departments. However the future strategy must aim towards self sufficiency and less dependency.
Hence keeping own seed materials for future use, use of self prepared manures and organic preparations that can be done easily must be given attention. Panchayats can also make storage structures from different schemes and store seed materials as a reserve for farmers for future crops in case of paucity.
Manufacturing industries have been badly affected so also the jobs of people working there. Hence it is the time to realize the importance of cottage industries at household level. Every panchayat in Odisha is having the people from highly skilled castes whose ancestors were engages in their craftsmanship occupation inherited by their parents can go back to their traditional profession which can reduce their dependence on the industries outside.
Though the inherited profession skills are embedded in their genes, they can be re-trained for their specific works. Panchayats must take the lead in identifying them, train them and marketing of their produce after they start their works at home. For example, if a Kumbhar (man engaged in pottery) produces pots, the panchayat or nearby people will purchase them. It will help in livelihoods security of people simultaneously reduce the dependence of panchayats from external supply. Handicrafts must also be promoted.
Skill based trainings which can be easily transferred to large communities can be emphasized more. Sewing is a best example of that. In COVID-19 crisis situation also, SHGs and sewing skilled women played a major role in fighting the awfully contagious disease by making masks in numerous number in a very small time. These things must be aggravated among communities and panchayats have a role to link the interested unemployed candidates to various schemes of Government in acquiring these trainings.
It’s a pleasure that Mahatma Gandhi NREGA works has been started in Odisha with appropriate precautions. This will help the daily wage laborer’s in earning their bread and butter. However migrant laborers are in a great trouble now. There is an urgent need to address their problems. They also need to find works nearby. If possible, they can also get back to their hereditary occupation and be involved in cottage industries based on public requirements of their locality and available resources with them.
“We need not find solutions anywhere else or invent something new always. Let’s rewind memories and follow only those our forefathers used to.”
Faculty- Natural Resource Management,
SIRD & PR, Bhubaneswar
Email ID: tapan.ouat@gmail.com