Patil for fresh look at govt`s population policy

Achinta Borah
Tumkur (Karnataka), Feb 2 (PTI) Citing China, Indian
President Pratibha Patil Monday advocated a fresh look by the
government at the population policy.

"As China has stabilised its population, it is expected
that we will surpass the population of China. Therefore, we
may need to look at our population policy," Patil said while
inaugurating the centenary celebrations of Sri Sri Sivakumara
Swamyji of Sri Siddaganga Math here in the southern Indian
state of Karnataka.

The President said that to feed this population, steps
must be taken to ensure that food availability is increased
and that can only happen if food production and productivity
are augmented.

"Productivity can be enhanced by making available to our
farmers better seeds, necessary irrigation facilities and
marketing linkages. Scientists must constantly work with
farmers to acquaint them with better agricultural practices
and at the same time our research efforts in the field of
agriculture must continue," she said.

Patil said the country needs to have another green
revolution which will be on a continuous upward curve.

Referring to the sharp rise in food prices last year
which has negatively impacted on efforts to eradicate poverty,
Patil said it is estimated that an additional hundred million
people now face the prospect of starvation. PTI