I wish to speak to you tonight about the all-important subject of food production. I consider self-sufficiency in food to be no less important than an impregnable defence system for the preservation of our freedom and independence. Our long-term objective must be to achieve self-sufficiency in food not by self-denial but by producing enough within our country in order to feed and build up a nation that is healthy and strong.
Dependence on food imports is not only bad for the economic health of our country but it also undermines our self-confidence and self-respect. We have to stand on our own legs and a beginning has got to be made right now towards self-sufficiency in food. The food front today is almost as vital as the military front.
The measure of the present deficit in our food production is provided by the quantum of annual imports. These imports, however, constitute less than eight per cent of the foodgrains that we consume in the country. Surely, it should not be impossible to make good this deficit provided we can make an all-out effort. Let us make a beginning straightway. The Rabi sowing season is upon us, and this is the most crucial period of the agricultural year. On what we are able to do now will rest the fortunes of our country in the coming year. Our aim, our objective, our slogan should be: “Two grains should now grow where only one grew before.”
When it comes to agriculture, my brother cultivators know much more than I do. I shall, therefore, confine myself only to some general aspects of this matter. Firstly, the increase in agricultural production would mean intensive cultivation and raising of more than one crop on a plot of land, where only one grew before. If two crops are already being taken, then we must strive for even a third. This is not at all difficult with proper rotation. We must also try wherever possible to grow some minor crop along with the major crop.
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As you are aware, our overall supplies of fertilisers are inadequate. Foreign exchange being so scarce, we would not be able to import enough to meet all our requirements. We have, therefore, to make good this deficiency by concentrating all attention on increased composting. Per unit of material, compost has higher nitrogen and other nutrient contents than ordinary cow dung manure. All steps should, therefore, be taken to utilise our resources to increase composting to the maximum extent possible. Under the existing circumstances, this is absolutely indispensable for securing a substantial increase in agricultural production.
The success of agriculture, as you know, depends on irrigation. It is a pity that all areas have not got the irrigational facilities they require. But wherever such facilities are available, they must be put to the most economic and maximum possible use. Advance action for the utilisation of full irrigational potential should be taken. This year the rainfall all over the country has been below normal. The Rabi crops are naturally threatened with lack of moisture. This should not, however, deter us from making brave efforts for achieving the goal that we have set before us. The requirements of irrigation should be met by digging temporary kutcha wells if traditional sources of irrigation are not able to meet the demand of our high targets.
In the present emergency, every area should try to grow whatever cereal or oilseed or other useful crop that can grow in the area with the availability of water and other climatic conditions. Every bit of land should be cultivated. Even in cities, every little plot of land, every bit of garden that can be made available, should be used for growing vegetables. A well-kept kitchen garden should be a matter of pride to every household that has the space for it, and much can also be done in raising quick-growing fruit trees like banana and papaya.
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So far I have been talking about the need for a determined endeavour to increase substantially the production of food within the country in order to attain self-sufficiency. Obviously, the production of food is not an end in itself. The objective is to feed all the people. We must aim at equitable distribution. Here again, it is the cultivator and the farmer who can be of the greatest help. They have to feed the workers in factories and mines, landless labourers who work for wages, the city dwellers and, above all, the men of the Armed Forces who are defending our frontiers.
My farmer friends, you may certainly keep enough for your requirements. But you must consider it your national obligation to make the rest available to accredited agencies. You have already been assured of a fair price. I want to address myself especially to the bigger farmers who are better off and who have some holding capacity. I would ask them earnestly to come forward and to help the nation by marketing the entire surplus which they may have. This is the best service they can render to the country in these days of emergency. Withholding of supplies causes distress and this, I am sure, everyone would want to avoid.
I would ask all the farmers to adopt the slogan: “Produce more and market more.” There should be organisations in every village to enthuse the Kisans, and I hope the village Panchayats and producers’ cooperatives will take the lead in this. In our freedom struggle, the Kisans of India played so notable a part. I am confident that they will stand by the country in its present hour of need.
I would also appeal to the traders not to withhold supplies. Above all, they must ensure that the essential foodstuffs are made available to the public at reasonable prices. I am glad that the trading community has tried to keep down the prices and I am hopeful that in these difficult days they will continue to display the same public-spiritedness. A great responsibility devolves on them at this time of emergency.
It is equally necessary that the consumer must not hoard foodgrains but purchase only what he needs for his immediate requirements. There is no need for extra purchases. There must be equality of sacrifice and the consumer can help a great deal by exercising self-restraint. While we are especially thankful to the United States of America and to some other friendly countries for the food which they have been giving us as aid, we must be prepared for a situation when we may not be able to import all that we need. If there is enough food, each one of us will eat adequately. If, on the other hand, there is a shortage each one must be willing cheerfully to make a sacrifice.
While we are trying to step up the production of food within the country, the attainment of self-sufficiency would naturally take some time. In the intervening period, there must be restraint on consumption. Conspicuous consumption must be strictly avoided not only in respect of cereals but also of other foodstuffs. Parties, dinners and lunches are not in tune with the times at all. At weddings, there should be no exhibition of ostentation. There is no need for many dishes to be served. Hotels and restaurants also have to keep in line with the present-day requirements. Austerity is the need of the hour and it must be encouraged by strong public opinion.
I would like to say a special word about the housewife and the vital role she has to play in the present emergency. Our women can help in inducing a change in the dietary habits of the people by introducing in the family diet items that are grown in the area but are not consumed. We may have our menu partly in wheat and partly in other cereals like maize, barley, bajra or gram. The lady of the house should economise on the consumption of cereals and make a conscious effort to eliminate wastage which unfortunately one does come across even these days. In well-to-do families, where the diet can be supplemented by items like vegetables, fruits, meat, fish and poultry, every effort has to be made to cut down on the consumption of cereals. I wish such families would plan at least some cereal-free meals every week. The women of India have always made their own contribution in the service of the country – let them in this vital matter of austerity and conservation of food again take the lead.
As I said earlier, the next Rabi season will commence shortly and the coming three or four weeks are, therefore, of great importance. First and foremost you have to sow all available land and no patch should be regarded as too small for the purpose. For assisting you in every possible way the whole machinery of the Government is being geared up. I am requesting the Chief Ministers to issue immediate instructions to the District Officers for launching a food production drive within their districts. In this, the Community Development Organisation will have to play a vital role.
There has to be and there must be a well-coordinated effort to provide seeds, fertilisers, water and other requirements in the best manner possible. A scheme for the whole district has to be drawn up and groups of villages have to be entrusted to officials whose responsibility it would be to keep in close and direct touch with the farmers and to do everything possible to resolve their difficulties. The entire team in a district has to work with a sense of dedication in the same manner as a soldier on the battle front.
The District Officer should regard himself in all humility as a commander who has to organise this drive and achieve the target which must be clearly laid down. He should delegate all his routine work to some other senior officer of the district administration, reserving his own attention and energies almost exclusively for work connected with agricultural production. The success of these efforts will not be in doubt if officials would apply themselves to the task not merely as a part of their duty but also as a part of the deep obligation which they owe to the country at this critical hour.
We live in fateful times. The dangers that threaten us have not yet passed. In this moment of crisis, our Jawans have shown the way. Can our Kisans lag behind? The Jawan is giving his blood, he is staking his life for the country. I am asking the Kisans to give their toil and their sweat. Let them also go out in their millions to the fields that are waiting to be sown, and with enthusiasm, endeavour and enterprise make every effort possible to increase the production of food. Whatever may befall, let us so conduct ourselves that even by suffering and by sacrifice we succeed in making this country of ours self-sufficient, self-reliant, self-respecting and strong.
This is part of ThePrint’s Great Speeches series. It features speeches and debates that shaped modern India.