Dr Mangala Rai hung up his boots as the director general for the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) from 1 January 2010, after a long innings of almost seven years as ICAR chief. Loving to call himself a son of a farmer, Dr Rai had taken about 30 years to move from the bottom to the top of the vast agro-research dissemination network ranks. Our correspondent spoke to him recently and quizzed on several critical issues. Read on:

IE: As you call it a day, what are the challenges you see have gripped Indian agricultural scene?
Rai: The year 2009, coincidentally my last year in service, gave us several warning signals about the likely impact of the climate change on agriculture. During the year, there were winter spells with higher temperatures, delayed arrival of monsoon followed by drought - like situation in several parts of the country and then floods before the withdrawal of monsoon. These erratic climate behaviour has added a new dimension to the challenges already haunting the agricultural scene.

IE: So how do you assess the impact of climate change and how to deal with those?
Rai: The effects are trans-boundary in nature. We have assessed, that in India alone by 2025, there would be need for 25 per cent more water, while the availability of water would come down by 10-12 per cent. There would be need for more fertilisers and micro nutrients like sulphur. All these would call for greater investments.

IE: But are investments really going up? What about private participation?
Rai: Though belated the realisation is slowly dawning that the country needs to spend more on agriculture and agricultural research. Higher investments in agriculture from both the government and the private companies are essential to tide over the present crisis. The challenges to agri scene in the coming years would be multi-faceted and manifold.

IE: In what areas, private parties have shown interest?
Rai: Public-private partnership has shown good results in the past with regard to hybrid basmati. This was way back in 2002. In fact, this quality of basmati is not available even till date anywhere else in the world. As many as 17 private seed companies have tied up with the government. Basmati exports have also seen quantum leap to over Rs 6000 crore. There is handsome expansion in area under Basmati.

IE: Pulse production has always been below requirements ….
Rai: See, here also we are not up to the mark. The country has the potential to undertake major improvements in pulse production. India will need to provide quality seeds to farmers, ensure adequate unhindered power supply, effective irrigation system, providing soil nutrients and also deal with the pests. We must also understand pulses are inherently vulnerable to pest attacks.
You may find it amazing but the use of pesticides in India is near negligible compared to other countries across the globe. As against 0.5 kg of pesticides used in this country per hectare/per annum, in Japan the usage is 11.5 kg while in Taiwan it is 16 kg.

IE: Recently, there was again a debate about BT brinjal. What has been ICAR stand on the issue?
Rai: This is something we have been talking for many years now. At times we were laughed at. I always say in the near future transgenic culture in agriculture will be the order of the day covering from brinjal to potatoes. This will also provide shield against impact of climate change. Microbes will prove to be source of new genes and catalyst for processing and product development.

IE: ICAR is supposed to have endorsed the Ministry of Environment clearance of bt brinjal?
Rai: Yes. In fact, we are a part of the decision-making process. As ICAR chief, I had cleared in writing to the government that the ICAR has found the parameters 'reasonably well' for consumption and commercial use of bt brinjal as cleared by the regulator.

IE: India also keeps importing edible oil? What is your take?
Rai: In fact, the import of oil issue goes back to the time when India had excess production. The government of the day then in its wisdom reduced duties on oil helping more import from countries like Malaysia. In 1986, oilseed production was 16.5 million tonnes and now it is about 29 million tonnes. We are still importing. But I have a news to share with you that recently to improve oilseed production, the government has already tied up with Malaysia to promote palm-oil cultivation in the northeastern states of India. I must say, the geographical condition is most congenial there.

IE: What about the role of ICAR in the changing circumstances?
Rai: Agriculture education has to evolve in tune with the fast changing national and international scenario to develop competent and skilled human resources. For long there has been a ban on fresh recruitments. This was done away with recently.

Lately, we have appointed 953 young scientists. ICAR will appoint over 300 more. Our recent achievement in terms of updated research work has a lot to do with these fresh appointments. Recently, there was also accreditation of 31 agricultural universities. ICAR has also embarked upon multi-disciplinary Bioprospecting of Genes and Abiotic Stress Tolerance programme. Recently, ICAR also tied up with Syria-based International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas to increase the yield of pulses.

ICAR would be making optimum use of the huge collection of germplasm of lentils, chickpea and grass pea. There are a host of other activities going on.