Rapid advances in Information and
Communications technology offer some means to assist the agricultural extension function
of collecting, organising and communicating useful informatin to farmers in an efficient
and cost effective manner. This issue covers new technologies and services, including
satellite technology applications, CD-ROMs, Expert Systems in agriculture and Interactive
Computer Video Technology.
Focus is on the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), Agreements on
Agriculture, Agreement on Trade Related aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs),
Implications for agriculture, implications for developing countries, subsidies, and
farmers perceptions.
Watershed Management is a
holistic approach which aims at optimising the use of land, water and vegetation in an
area to alleviate drought, moderate floods, prevent soil erosion, improve availability of
water and increase agricultural production on a sustained basis. This issue of the Digest
focuses on the importance of soil and water conservation and practices around the world,
importance of Participatory planning in Watershed Management, Guidelinesfor Watershed
Development Programme in Drought Prone/Desert/Non Forest Wasteland areas and some
techniques for harvesting water.
Agricultural policies,research and extension systems,apart from concentrating
on yield maximization,should also promote systems which do not have an adverse impact on
environment.Indiscriminate use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers to control pests and
increase production have led to disturbances in natural eco-system.Pests have developed
resistance to these, there are pesticides residues in products and poisonous chemicals
ending on to practice natural farming - by harnessing nature’s own potential to
increase production and control pests - where emphasis is on creating a natural
environment for plant growth with minimum interference.
The current issue of the Extension Digest focuses on natural
farming - practices which help increase production,enrich the soil, rejuvenate the
environment,control pests without using chemical fertilizers and pesticides and entirely
depend on natural resources for crop nutrition,and are thus more eco-friendly,The attempt
is to disseminate information on natural farming among policy makers,scientists,extension
functionaries and farmers through case studies and experiences around the globe.
