This first appeared in the Heraldo dated 26th Aug 2022
Sadguru is on a world wide mission to raise awareness to SAVE SOIL. He has now connected with the Government of Goa to not just raise awareness but also actually save soil. The MOU was signed with a lot of fanfare. The objective is noble, soil once degenerated, it will have no ability to produce. He clearly stated that by 2045-50, the world will produce 50% less food. Given the growing population across the world, this does not augur well unless as he said, we take steps to reverse the trend today.
Then, there is the issue of safe guarding farm land, what good would save soil initiative be if there is no farm. We heard how the, Town & Country Planning (TCP) rule 16B was misused to convert land. Everyone knows when conversion is involved it is only one way, to settlement and better still to commercial so that maximum benefit can be derived for the owner, and make no mistake that the ultimate beneficiary is not the farmer. The farmer is under pressure to simply cave in and sell one way or another when he sees that his efforts do not reap any financial gain. He is also put at risk due to climate change and subsequent floods or inundations. The bunds are deliberately breached so as to render the soil useless. Since mining is going to start soon, the water pumped out of the mines flows into the fields and renders them useless, this must be prevented.
Then there are issues other than weather. Labour to cultivate farms is not easily available and so the answer is mechanisation. Are there pathways to reach every field? This has to be looked into because if the field is landlocked how will it get ploughed by a tractor or harvested by a harvester? Water, is it not time that fields have pumps to water the field rather that the traditional system of drawing water and watering the field pot by pot. This means that electricity will be required. If the vehicle cannot reach or electricity is not available, surely the field will will remain barren as labour is not available. The children of farmers prefer other professions because there is neither money nor widespread respect for those in the profession. Of late we have many incidences where the farmer has been lathi charged for trying to make a point.
Another reason fields are not cultivated, the mundkars are bullied, bribed, pressured and co-opted into surrendering their lands and to stop cultivating. Why? If tenanted land is uncultivated for three years it reverts to the original owner. The moment the land is made barren, it is now fair game for sale, conversion and finally grow a building on it. Buildings fetch much more revenue than planting rice or vegetables. Surely the time is right to do something that will safeguard FOOD SECURITY. This means farmland and farmers must be treated with respect and given unstinted supported. Sadguru in his, “Save Soil Policy Handbook” which he presented to the Chief Minister highlights “Prosperity of farmer”. This must be measured under the MOU if this program is to succeed.
It is not uncommon to see illegal filling of fields to make marble showrooms or garages or some other commercial venture. This is obviously with the support and patronage of the powers that be. This unholy trend must be stopped and hopefully the new panchas will take notice and stop further degradation of fields, knowing food security is compromised when this is allowed and Government has signed an MOU to prevent it.
The other hazard for farmers and soil is the discarding of empty alcohol bottles thrown carelessly into the fields after a drinking session in the midst of cool green fields. To prevent this the Extended Producer Responsibility must be enacted and heavy deposits collected so as to eliminate this menace and save the soil.
The Government has recently announced that uncultivated lands will be acquired. They do not mention if they will be leased out to others to cultivate or or for construction of roads buildings etc. If we were serious about farmers and food security, we would have built the IIT on the Verna Plateau. The Sanguem farmers could have been assisted to restart farming activities inline with suggestion given earlier. This is the proverbial slip between cup and lip. On one side we want to save soil for farming and on the other we take the farm away and make it totally uncultivable. Then, there are hare brained projects that will endanger the soil viz: three linear projects, comes to mind. The Environment Minister was present and surely he would have had the projects rush through his mind and he now has to think of not only ours but also his children's future.
The reason, Government Ministers take these decisions according to Sadguru, “….. because they believe they are right”. However, it is the citizens who have to stand up and speak out, and that time is now. He said that every citizen wishes a better life for his children. Sadguru repeated many times KEEP YOUR VOICES UP, if 60% of the citizens raise their voices the government will listen.
Economy and Ecology are in a tug-a-war. Sadguru debunked this argument by pointing out that one cannot compromise the foundation, farms in this case and build any great future which is sustainable. Therefore it is imperative, if we are to save the planet and ensure that our children and children’s children have food to eat going forward. This will happen only if we act now. You may or may not agree with Sadguru’s philosophy, but your cannot ignore the point he is making. You have to act now and you have to raise your voice for the benefit of your children.
SAVE SOIL, FARMS AND FARMERS, LETS MAKE IT HAPPEN.