RPCAU Will Be The Prime Mover Of Second Green Revolution In Eastern India

The fourth oldest agricultural university in India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University (RPCAU), formerly known as Rajendra Agricultural University (RAU) has played an important role in agricultural development in the eastern states. Located at Pusa in Samastipur, Bihar, the varsity has now upgraded to Central University in May 2015. It is seen as a big driver of second Green Revolution, expected to be taken place in the region. Dr. RC Srivastava, Vice Chancellor, RPCAU talks to Mohd Mustaquim on the various issues related to second Green Revolution and agricultural research in the region.

- RC Srivastava

The Government has accorded the agriculture sector, so what do you expect for the next fiscal?

In addition to higher allocation for agricultural research and education, I shall like the government to focus on (i) reducing post harvest losses through first level processing at local level and improvement in market linkage (ii) management of challenged ecosystem viz., water logged areas of eastern region and rainfed areas with special emphasis on those located in regions receiving more than 750 mm annual rainfall. This is very important because 33 percent of rainfed area receives more than 1100 mm rainfall and another 31 percent area receives 750-1100 mm rainfall.

The agricultural subsidies are much lesser in developing countries as compared to developed ones. In contrary, the dependency on the sector in developing countries is high than developed countries. Do you feel that the government should prop agriculture sector with influx of subsidies to put India at par with them? 

The government should prop up agriculture sector not by direct subsidy but by enhanced spending in infrastructure and providing extension services. The village based agriculture extension workers who were primary source of knowledge have disappeared and input suppliers i.e, seed store, insecticide, pesticide sellers have become major source of information which is often biased.

In view of the fact that only 50% of population has bank accounts and 2% of them use ATMs, what would be the impact of demonetisation on Rabi season? Further, how do you envisage the blow to the larger crop of Khraif preceded by Rabi due to demonetisation and subsequent emphasis on cashless tractions?