NEW
DELHI: Amid reports of floods in the riverine portions of Bihar, Assam
and West Bengal, the eminent agriculture scientist M S Swaminathan on
Tuesday pitched for preparation and operation of 'Flood Code' - an
anticipatory code of action - for such regions.
Under the Flood Code, alternative crops must be kept ready so that as soon as the flood recedes, they can be planted in the diara land which tends to get submerged during the monsoon.
"The strategy should be planting saathi maize (60 day variety), sweet potato and rice varieties with genes for stem elongation. In this way, farmers may get atleast one crop and some income for their food and livelihood needs", said Swaminathan, known as father of Green Revolution in India.
He said, "The Flood Code would become the saviour of farm families in the flood prone areas and thereby enhance their coping mechanism to such extreme conditions".
Under the Flood Code, alternative crops must be kept ready so that as soon as the flood recedes, they can be planted in the diara land which tends to get submerged during the monsoon.
"The strategy should be planting saathi maize (60 day variety), sweet potato and rice varieties with genes for stem elongation. In this way, farmers may get atleast one crop and some income for their food and livelihood needs", said Swaminathan, known as father of Green Revolution in India.
He said, "The Flood Code would become the saviour of farm families in the flood prone areas and thereby enhance their coping mechanism to such extreme conditions".
Posting his statement, the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation noted that since flooding is not uncommon in such regions, the agriculture scientist had proposed having 'Flood Codes' over 40 years ago as floods cause not only damage to crops and property but also can lead to post-flood problems like food and famine.
"With climate change which can enhance the frequency of occurrence of drought and floods, such an anticipatory code of action supported by appropriate planting material will insulate the local communities from total loss of food and livelihood security", said Swaminathan.
Source : TOI
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