New Delhi: Eminent agricultural scientist and Chairman of National Commission for farmers, M S Swaminathan once again sought the need to convert 'green revolution', a path-breaking food grain programme to enhance agricultural productivity in the country, into 'evergreen revolution' to maintain the higher and sustainable agricultural yield. Speaking at a conference of agricultural ministers from South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries in the national capital, Swaminathan today said, “Evergreen revolution is all about increasing productivity in perpetuity without associating ecological harms to nature. One way is adopting organic farming, which don't allow any chemical and mechanical input into farming. But it need certification of products."

“Green agriculture is another way in which farmers use conservation techniques with the help of inclusive technology. Now a days, decline in agricultural productivity along with deteriorating ecological health is of prime concern,” he added.

The veteran scientist who also holds the distinction of making India from self sufficient to world leader in exports of agricultural products emphasised that synergy between public policy and technology is required to deal with the dual problem of global climate change and agricultural productivity. He even pointed out that the rational behind awarding Nobel Peace prize jointly to Al Gore and Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change, underlines the requirement to bring politics and action together.

Further, he counted technology, public policy on input and out pricing, land policy and farmers' enthusiasm four points for a successful green revolution.

Swaminathan even demarcated the role of new scientific innovations in ensuring food security and nutritional level. “As we know, iron deficiency is prime cause behind Anemia in women of SAARC countries. Mangrove forests have special quality in iron contents. The gene responsible for that can be used in rice to deal with deficiency,” he said.

He also indicated towards the need to harness micro credit system in place to help farmers and develop supplementary sources of income for them.

Commenting further, Swaminathan, informed that it is for the first time that the government of India was going to make a policy for farmers as all policies of past were targeted to agriculture. However, he expressed his concerns about rising food prices and declining food stocks in Indian sub - continent, especially in south Asian regions and called for sharing of ideas and experiences to deal with common problems.