Science lends a helping hand

REMOTE sensing and its applications, particularly with regard to space platforms or satellites, has played a crucial role in the area of renewable resources and stabilising agriculture. While remote sensing per se cannot solve any specific problem related to agriculture, its role as a powerful tool in monitoring and identifying areas which need attention is increasing rapidly. This is mainly because of the rapid improvement in spatial resolution of data. Moreover much progress has been made in overcoming cloud penetration as well as three-dimensional mapping.

Remote sensing data from satellite altitude can be got directly in digital form and this is used with other information also in digital form. This has led to unlimited scope to support near real time decisions using the technology tool of Geographical Information System (G.I.S.). The additional use of the Global Positioning System has made it possible to relate this data to its location. These technological developments help improve location specific agricultural practices. Such precision farming improves productivity as minimum inputs are required. Thus production cost comes down.

Toward this end, the Government has in the last 20 years initiated land reforms and systematic land use. Unfortunately, these plans have not been very successful. Our land records and cadastral maps are only reasonably acceptable. Most land records are either defective or inaccurate, or do not exist. There could be several reasons for this. This situation cannot be set right by digitising all cadastral maps, but only those which are reasonably accurate or within an acceptable tolerance limit. This situation prevails only in some regions. So a resurvey has to be done in those areas where records are inaccurate. This is a gigantic task as our land holdings are, in general, small. Such farmers have to be convinced that they will not lose as a result of this enmasse digitisation. Farmers who hold large areas form only about 30 per cent of their population.

Therefore, to segregate small farmers from well-to-do farmers, satellite data can be of immense use. These statistics can be complemented with collateral information, provided the cadastral maps are reasonably accurate.

We have been holding many seminars and expert consultations as to how science and technology could be applied to ensure food security on a sustainable basis, and come out with many laudable remedial measures and recommendations. But how these could be evolved into real time field activities is not clear. By undertaking some demonstrations and trying to help a few limited rural poor will not eliminate poverty or lead to self sufficiency in food. This is because as our population is increasing, so too is poverty - perhaps at a rate faster than that of food production and purchasing power. Hunger and thirst surely cannot wait for too long.

In this context, high resolution remote sensed data can at least identify areas where the situation is bad and also where water can be made available. For this not only should scientists and technologists work together but a number of committed social scientists and NGOs should work in areas where a number of marginal farmers are living. In fact, poverty eradication can even be viewed as a business proposition, by a partnership approach of the Government and private people working together.

Another aspect that should be kept in mind is that consumer preferences to different kinds of food is changing. So, producers have to re-orient their programmes and targets. It is here that the Government and NGOs play an important part, between consumer preferences and producers. While remote sensing by itself may not be able to help, it can at least help identify sources. With the application of G.I.S. we can get realistic answers. Are we, as a community, tuned towards this, and are we capable of working together for a common cause, exchanging data with different organisations freely and with an open mind? Our Governmental systems and political set up do not seem conducive to implement such a move, even if it takes time.

Towards better farming methods and improving productivity, we may think of evolving a computerised land information system, similar to the G.I.S.. This can be applicable to merging or integrating renewable resources, for arriving at different alternative approaches, for which a one-time infrastructural investment may be necessary. Are we prepared for it and can we make a start with available resources? Some of these could be partially answered by technological skills got from aerial/satellite remote sensing and considering land as a three-dimensional entity.

There is also the issue of bio-engineered food production to produce more, but what it would result in over a period of time is still being debated. We see the slowdown in information technology which once grew very fast. Many dotcom establishments now show signs of weakness. New technologies like Nano technology are emerging silently. To what extent they would occupy and replace many micro technologies is yet to be seen.

One generation, one technology, one type of practice and need cannot be matched with another. Nor can we say when it will end or slow down in the new generation. For a country like ours, unless agriculture improves and the GNP reaches two or three per cent our industrial production will not be able to grow beyond certain limits, as 60 per cent of our activities are rural based. Agricultural productivity and industrial growth are closely inter-related. Remote sensing is not an exclusive technology in achieve increased food production and eradicating poverty but, used judiciously, it can provide information leading to increased productivity.

New technology, such as precision agriculture, is being practised in many other countries. Here it is still in the nascent stage. The Systems Rice Intensification (SRI) programme is practised in some countries, but we do not seem to have much knowledge about it. Our policy makers must be prepared to be open minded in trying to see the merit in such practices.

L.R.A. NARAYAN

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Section  : Science & Tech