Tirupati: Bold reforms to check desertification needed

Tirupati: Prof T Giridhar Krishna of the SV Agriculture College here has stressed the need for bold reforms to check desertification and drought in the world and in India in particular.

Addressing a meeting held at Sri Venkateswara University (SVU) campus jointly by Rayalaseema Economic Association, Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), Tirupati local branch and Centre for Women's Studies on Monday, he said that more than 50 per cent of agriculture area in India is drought prone.

Scientists were giving training in the scheme of ARYA (Attraction of Rural Youth in Agriculture) for farmers sons to continue in that sector.

The meeting was held on the eve of UNO's "World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought".

Prof MS Soundararajan of Nandyal highlighted semi-arid, arid menaces which led to desertification. Prof R Jagadiswara Rao explained the importance of water, human values and culture. Federation of Farmers Association State President M Gopal Reddy, Prof C Sujathamma of Sri Padmavati Women's College, IIPA Tirupati Branch Chairman Prof A Ranga Reddy, Dr A Samanthakamani, Prof MC Reddeppa Reddy and others also spoke on the occasion.