CHANDIGRH: Agriculture Minister Sucha Singh Langah emphasized on the   need for increased production to meet the need of increasing population and showed the concern for declining food production and decreasing land holdings.  

This was disclosed here today after inaugurating conference on "Environment and Livelihood Security though Resource Management in Northern India at Chandigarh,  Langah said that Punjab contributes 61% of wheat and 32%  of rice to  the total requirement while its area  is only 1.53% of the total area of the country.   But the per hectare production level has reached a plateau and our natural resources had to pay a heavy price to maintain the production levels.  Use of Agro-chemicals have posed a threat to environment & ecology of the region Punjab has 80% of its agricultural land   under irrigation with about 13 lakh tubewells, as a result the water table has gone down from 15-20 ft at one time to 70 feet deep today and 77% of land is affected by   declining water table.  The  submersible motors and 20-25% more electricity to draw water from this depth causing   a burden of 5000 crore  rupees  burden on the state. 

He also showed concern for global warming and its effect on crop productivity and warned that if suitable measures are not taken and new research and technology not evolved to curtail these problems, soon the productivity will go down causing a disaster.   Punjab state will give most emphasis on rain water harvesting, high water use efficiency agriculture linked activities like dairy, poultry, fishery, high value crops and fruits, with a special attention to small and marginal farmers.    

A welcome address was delivered by Dr.V.N.Sharda, Director, Central Soil & Water Conservation Research & Training Institute, Dehradun and the President of Indian Association of Soil and Water Conservationists.   In his welcome address, Dr. Sharda appreciated the contributions of Sh. Langah in upliftment of rural masses through efficient utilization of  natural resources in agriculture sector. 

The active role played by  Sh.S.S.Saini, Chief   Conservator of Soils, Punjab in various activities of the conference.  Dr.V.N.Sharda also described the various activities of Indian Association of Soil & Water Conservationists in organizing conferences and meetings, publishing a journal and awarding fellowship with an aim to ensure efficient management of natural resources following integrated watershed management approach.   He said that the Northern states of India have played a vital role in self-sufficiency in food grain production, but the productivity is showing a declining trend in the recent past.   He informed that 43% of the total area in the region suffers from degradation of one form or the other. The region is also confronted with the problems of deforestation, loss of biodiversity and siltation of reservoirs in Himalayas and groundwater depletion, soil sickness and chemical deterioration in the plains of Haryana and Punjab. He also highlighted the role of efficient management of rainwater following watershed concepts, rejuvenation of common property resources and organic farming in improving the declining   productivity and soil health in the region. A second  green revolution is the need  of hour by evolving suitable integrated farming systems, based on cycling and recycling of inputs to enhance productivity,    profitability, income employment generations.

Mr.A.A.Zargar, Agriculture Minister J&K wished for peace and prosperity for his state, so that developmental activities and progress can take place.    He emphasized on short term and long term stategies, holistic and integrated farming system approach for sustainable  production and environment.   Melting of graciers, over exploitation of natural resource, deforestation and intrusion by smugglers are the major concerns.  He ended with happy note that after 20 years of unrest the state has experienced relative peace, good production of saffron and dry fruits and promised that it will come to normalcy we have strived for peace for all for a long time.  

This was followed by the Award Ceremony. The awards were presented by Hon'ble Agriculture Minister, Punjab. Dr.M.L. Khybri, Dr.Ram Babu, Dr.V.P.Singh, Dr.A.K.Tiwari and  Dr.P.K.Mishra were awarded IASWC Fellowship – 2007. Dr.N.K.Sharma was awarded IASWC Gold Medal-2007 Er.Shakir Ali was awarded IASWC Young Scientist Award – 2007. Dr.P.V.Firke was awarded IASWC Special Commendation Award.