Skip to content Skip to navigation

Questions of Agricultural Sustainability need to be addressed

Dibrugarh: Prof. Chandan Kumar Sharma from Tezpur University hosted the Northeast release of Yale University Press' award-winning Genetically Modified Democracy at Dibrugarh University on Friday. The book release was part of a three-day workshop called Sustainable Futures: Agriculture, Ecology and Conservation in Northeast India. It took place on December 14-16 in Guwahati and Dibrugarh University.

Dr. Aniket Aga is an associate professor of environmental studies at Ashoka University. His research interests are in science and technology studies, democratic politics, and agrarian studies. He works on questions of environmental justice, food democracy, and sustainable agriculture. The South Asian edition of his book was released by Orient BlackSwan in December 2021. Since its publication, the book has been exceptionally well received. Anthropologist Jacob Richardson suggests that the book provides “plenty of food for thought and a fresh perspective on a long-studied debate”; and Abby Kinchy, sociologist of science, suggests that the book should be “required reading” for anyone making political points about GM crops based on the Indian experience.

In November 2022, Genetically Modified Democracy won the ‘Fleck Prize’ awarded by the international Society for Social Studies of Science which recognizes outstanding work in the area of Science and Technology Studies. In its award citation, the prize committee stated that the book “is a masterful and thoroughly researched account of the making of GMO biotechnology in India and the concurrent emergence of novel matters of concern and governance forms fueled by calls for equity and justice.”

At the book release, reiterating words from his book, Dr. Aniket Aga said, “Our focus must remain on urgent questions of food democracy, agricultural sustainability, health, and justice, rather than any one particular technology.” In his book discussion, Prof. Chandan Kumar Sharma added, “Land is becoming commodified increasingly in the region. It poses a great challenge to the biodiversity in the hills, the crops that people cultivate, and will accentuate the problem of food insecurity. The production, consumption, and preservation of food often involves the local community. Therefore, the whole rhythm of the community might also be affected when food cultures disappear.”

Last month, the Assam Government launched the Assam Millet Mission encouraging farmers to diversify crops and expand into palm farming, lemon, bhut jholokia, and joha rice. While crop diversification is important for farm resilience, it must be guided by agro-ecological suitability, and must build on the working knowledge of farmers and farm labourers, especially women, and their culture of seeds, biodiversity, and food.

This year, the Assam government aims to procure 10 lakh MT of rice directly from farmers with a minimum support price of INR 2040 per quintal. In 2021-22, it procured over 5.65 lakh MT of rice to boost farmer income and assure a fair price. However, this accounted for a meagre 43,000 farmers vis-à-vis over 27 lakh farmers in the state. The government needs to find ways to better support farmers, particularly those growing food crops: through schemes, subsidies, insurance, and prices. Shattered supply chains during the pandemic have left many farmers and their families struggling to cope. 

 

 

Photo: Mirza Zulfiqur Rahman

 

Author info

AT News's picture

Assam Times Staff. editor@assamtimes.org

Add new comment

Random Stories

Encephalitis death toll rises to 5 in Golaghat

20 Jul 2011 - 4:02pm | editor
With four more children succumbing to encephalitis here, the death toll due to Japanese encephalitis or brain fever rose to 5, The dead were identified as Dulal Bora (6) of Chungajan, Moina Begum (12...

Gogoi's condition improves further

3 Nov 2020 - 5:31pm | AT News
Guwahati: Former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi is stable.  According to Guwahati Medical College Hospital authorities, the former CM who was rushed to ICU on Sunday midnight is properly...

Motor workshop catches fire

19 May 2013 - 9:10am | AT News
Properties worth twenty lakhs were reduced to ashes when a devastating fire broke out at a car workshop in Dibrugarh district on Sunday.The fire took place at Laipuli early in the morning due to...

Elaborate security for Modi

7 Feb 2014 - 10:49pm | AT News
Amid an elaborate security arrangement, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a huge rally in Guwahati on Saturday.The Veterinary Playground in Khanapara has turned into a...

Other Contents by Author

Guwahati: The Indigenous peoples of Mung-Dun-Chun-Kham, Assam, North East India (IPMDCKANEI) came together on Assam Divas (Sukafa Divas) to address critical issues impacting their communities. Held at the Conference Hall, Media Trust', Rup Nagar, Guwahati, the day-long program included a significant round table conference featuring ethnic activists from Assam, Tripura, Manipur, and Nagaland. The event commenced with tributes to historical figures, Chao Pha Chao lung Sukafa and Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma, followed by intense discussions on the challenges confronting indigenous groups in North East India. Representatives from various organizations including the United Bodo Peoples...
Representatives from various indigenous groups and environmental organizations convened in Gangtok, Sikkim, for the North East India Meet on Free Flowing Rivers. The gathering, hosted by the Affected Citizens of Teesta, Centre for Research and Advocacy (Manipur), and the Borok Peoples Human Rights Organization, concluded with a significant resolution aimed at safeguarding the region's rivers and biodiversity. "We recognize the intrinsic rights of rivers to flow freely and the vital relationship between indigenous communities and their natural resources," emphasized a spokesperson from the conference. The Teesta Declaration outlined pressing concerns regarding the construction of...
Guwahati: The commencement of preliminary work on the flyover linking the Dighalipukhuri point with the Bamunimaidan area has sparked concerns among the media fraternity in Guwahati. The ongoing development, anticipated to be the longest flyover in Assam stretching over six kilometers and set for completion by 2026, has raised issues for the city's Press Club situated in the Ambari locality. As construction gears up, the Press Club faces a significant reduction in its working space due to the flyover's expansion. This reduction is poised to create parking challenges for members and visitors alike during and after the construction phase, prompting the Journalists' Forum Assam (JFA) to...
In a resolute display of solidarity and resilience, over 5,000 women hailing from the Kuki-Zomi-Hmar-Mizo communities congregated at Peace Ground, Tuibuong, Lamka, Churachandpur in Manipur, kickstarting the annual 16 Days Activism on Violence Against Women. Orchestrated by the Women of Lamka, the event was a fervent call for justice and a poignant outcry against the distressing instances of gender-based violence (GBV) that have plagued the state. Led by the indomitable Ngaineikim from Kuki Women organization for human rights, the program's inauguration was a tapestry of impassioned speeches, stirring presentations, and solemn moments dedicated to the victims. Distinguished figures such...
Guwahati: The Journalists’ Forum Assam (JFA) has voiced its deep concern regarding the recent surge in verbal assaults on journalists by various individuals. In response, the forum calls upon the State's media community to stand united in the face of adversity. In a released statement, the forum highlighted the disparaging remarks made by AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal towards video journalists, where he suggested that they should face physical violence. “While we vehemently denounce Ajmal's stance and urge for appropriate actions against the politician, we implore media professionals to demonstrate unity, integrity, and professionalism in their workplaces,” remarked JFA president Rupam...
The North-East Finale of the WWF-India Wild Wisdom Global Challenge 2023 was held on November 3, 2023, at Royal Global University in Guwahati, Assam. This year's challenge was themed "Birds of the World" and was open to students from classes 6 to 9. A total of 80 schools with 160 students from Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, and various districts of Assam participated in the finale. After a closely contested competition, the team from Sarla Birla Gyan Jyoti School, Assam, represented by Ritvik Anand (class 6) and Garvita Jain (class 8), emerged as the North East Champions. The 2nd position was bagged by the team from Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya Tezpur, Assam...
Siliguri: Salesian College (Autonomous) Siliguri joined 11 other venues of Kolkata Salesian province in holding Don Bosco Global Youth Film Festival, 2nd edition on 13th October 2023. North Bengal’s acclaimed Nepali Film Director, musician and singer Mr. Anmol Gurung inaugurated the festival at Salesian College Siliguri just as Los Angeles Salesians hosted the Global Youth Film Awards in the picturesque foothills of Hollywood. “These films serve as a poignant canvas, capturing the myriad emotions, trials, tribulations, dreams, and aspirations of young people,” says Festival Director in Siliguri Salesian Fr C.M. Paul. Fr Paul adds, “They [films] also show the profound desire of...
In a celebration of literary heritage and a significant milestone, the Assam Publishing Company has released the long-awaited second edition of Anatole France's "Thais" in Assamese. The reissue of this classic comes exactly 59 years after its initial publication, bringing the timeless themes of love, temptation, and redemption to a new generation of readers. Golok Chandra Datta, an esteemed translator hailing from the region, skillfully translated the renowned French author Anatole France's work. This translation marks a crucial milestone in Datta's career as it represents his inaugural published translation effort. The translation aims to convey the depth and beauty of the original...
Guwahati, 23 September 2023: Assam Don Bosco University celebrated its 12th Convocation on Saturday, 23rd September, 2023, at Tapesia Campus Sonapur, Guwahati. The esteemed gathering included the Hon’ble Governor of Assam, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, who graced the occasion as the university's visitor, along with Vice Chancellor Fr. (Dr) Jose Palley, Pro Vice Chancellor Fr. Joseph Nellnatt, Directors of Schools, Heads of Departments, faculty members, students, and dignitaries from across the country. Addressing the graduating students, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria encouraged them to contribute meaningfully to society, emphasizing the importance of innovation and dedication in shaping a better...
Golaghat: Last Wednesday, an insightful sensitization workshop addressing the detrimental effects of tobacco use was organized at the conference hall of the District & Sessions Judge’s office in Golaghat. The event witnessed the presence of key figures in the fight against tobacco consumption, including Secretary of DLSA Golaghat, Smt. JyotiSmita Sarma, Dr. Sunita Ekka from District Tobacco Control Cell, Golaghat, and Rudhir Prakash Sarma, Divisional Coordinator of Upper Assam Division from The UNION. Officials from the DLSA office and the health department also actively participated. The workshop commenced with a warm welcome address, followed by an insightful discussion on the...