VIEWPOINT

AGRICULTURE

While we need to push the case for industrialization and development, it cannot come at the cost of the neglect of agriculture. Let’s not forget that the sector is still the largest employer and constitutes the base of the economy. It is unfortunate that the farm sector and farmers get the short end of the stick due to uncertainty over agricultural productivity. Farmers cannot be held responsible for this. Also unbridled industrialization can only result in long-term environmental damage, depletion of resources and reduction in arable land which, in turn may ultimately threaten food security.  /Aug. 2011