Networking needed for higher GDP: Kalam

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JAN. 4. The Principal Scientific Adviser to Government, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, today emphasised that India could achieve a higher GDP growth from six to 10 per cent, if only there could be networking of efforts in the five core areas of agriculture and food processing, production of quality electric power, education and health care, information technology and development of the strategic sector of space, nuclear and defence technologies, with the participation of all sections of society.

A beginning, he said, had been made in this regard in a limited manner and the results had been encouraging. In Bihar, for instance, a new project which introduced a system's approach in agricultural activity had increased the foodgrain productivity more than three folds from 1.5 tonnes a hectare to 5 tonnes a hectare. The experiment did raise certain issues such as equipment for faster harvesting, storage, marketing and banking system, but these were sorted out by the farmers themselves.

Another experiment that was providing to be successful was the one launched recently to promote excellence in educational institutions with industry as a willing participant. Under the project, 80 to 100 institutions were being connected electronically, through faculty exchange, common academic programmes, through joint research and common perception of commitment to achieve excellence.

A major outcome so far had been that industries were seen to be willing to invest up to 40 per cent of the expenditure in establishing the centres, for which they would receive skilled manpower and research output in specialised areas. It was clear that the industries would be willing partners in technology development and education, if they were presented with a good package that was mutually beneficial, he added.

Delivering a lecture at the 88th session of the Indian Science Congress here, Dr. Kalam also emphasised the need for India to use fully the opportunities offered by the new era that was emerging, where knowledge was the primary production resource instead of capital and labour, and become a developed country.

It must be remembered that India was a nation richly endowed with natural and competitive advantages, with certain distinctive competencies too. The only problem was they were scattered in isolated pockets and the awareness on these were inadequates. Steps had to be taken to overcome this, he said.

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