The Indian state of Punjab, hitherto considered as the food basket
of India has lost most of its fertile soil due to a number of
factors.
1. Falling water level
2. Excessive usage of fertilizers
3. Rising prices of fertilizers
4. Governmental negligence
5. Falling morale of the farmers
6. Lack of institutional finance
More than 20,000 farmers have committed suicide in last two decades.
They have to borrow from local money lenders, the mahajans who charge
exorbitant rates. If the most fertile and successful land of India
is undergoing such pressing problems, what Government of India is
doing to alleviate the crucial food problem.
The Indian officials seem to be too busy with their missile launching
to overtake China, to find time for addressing the plight of their
poor masses.
http://www.dawn.com/2008/05/08/int14.htm
Javed Iqbal Kaleem
