David O. Hansen is a Senior Fellow with the Association for Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), Washington, D.C. Dr. Hansen also retains a part-time appointment with Ohio State University. In this capacity he works on issues dealing with international programs in agriculture. In a recent conversation with Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar Alam on behalf of Agriculture Today, Prof. David O Hansen shares his views on the general state of agriculture.



What are the critical features of ‘sustainable intensification’ - the buzzword in discussions on agriculture?

Ans. Sustainable intensification refers to the need to find ways to increase agricultural production that are sustainable in the long-run. Much attention has been given to the depletion of the earth’s natural resource base through agriculture. The rapid decrease in water tables and the decrease in carbon content of soils in the Indo-Gangetic plains is a good example of this. Yet we know that populations will continue to increase. So how do we continue to increase production, while sustaining the natural resource base? Some may argue that we need to put new lands under cultivation. However, most productive lands are already under production. Bringing increasing fragile lands into the equation will not lead to sustainable production.w



If there is an immediate thrust for genetically modified crops, what would be your suggestion for making the cost of seeds affordable for the farmers in order to make it profitable for the vast number of marginal farmers in India especially when there is a powerful movement for resisting the same in India?

There would seem to be many ways to deal with the increased cost of seeds. Increased production occurring as a result of use of superior seeds could be sold in the market generating income to purchase new seeds. If farmers are truly subsistent, farmers with little chance of entering the market, programs could be created to distribute free seeds to the farmers. Alternatively, these farmers might continue to use their own seeds for the coming cropping season.



How is the whole event shaping up?

We have got a very good response from the industries such as crop protection, seeds, micro irrigation, animal husbandry, and food processing industry. The President, Minister of Agriculture, Cabinet Ministers and Chief Ministers of successful states are also participating in this conference. We have international experts participating in the conference.



To what extent GM crops are pest resistant? Can GM crops eliminate the need of pesticides?

This depends on the characteristics of the seeds. If seeds are genetically modified to resist pests and diseases, they will do so. Bt Cotton is a good example – resistant to the boll weevil. This has greatly reduced pesticide applications on cotton crops in India, thereby lowering input costs and increasing productivity.



What would be your prescription for India to make agriculture profitable for the farmers?

There are many factors involved in agricultural and animal production – inputs and their costs; markets and their payments for crops; related cost/benefit analyses. The real key here would be to ensure that farmers have access to appropriate information on market inputs; market prices for their products, as well as the capacity to analyze these data in order to maximize the profitability of their agricultural efforts.



With your wonderful experience of leading Africa-US Higher Education Initiative, what would be your advice for Africa-India partnership in Higher Education, Training and Technology?

This is really a very broad question. In today’s global economy, I do believe that we all need to establish international partnerships through which we can learn from one another about new technologies; better educate our students about the global economy and its impact on local operations; identify and facilitate reverse technology transfers; and ensure that our stakeholders are also educated about global economic forces, global market opportunities, etc. These would be the justification for promoting the partnership. It should be a mutually beneficial enterprise.



How could a national magazine like Agriculture Today help in advancing the agenda of ecologically secure food production that is climate resistant and beneficial for the farmers?

My own belief is that national magazines have the responsibility to provide thoughtful articles on critical issues affecting agriculture and those who depend on agriculture for a livelihood. It will be important for them to discuss critical issues in a way that reflects prevailing opinions, but also influence their future formulation, with the ultimate goal of impacting related agricultural policy.