Rising input costs of farming, including costlier labour, is well explained in the editorial ‘From where our food will come’ (August 16-31, 2010). Most of the foodgrains are produced using

high yielding seeds that require more fertilisers and pesticides, and advanced agricultural practices. These farmers enjoy high subsidy on irrigation water, fertilisers and electricity.

Unfortunately, farmers in rainfed areas cannot avail of these subsidies in absence of irrigation facilities. They do not use high yielding seeds either. They require less fertilisers and

pesticides, coupled with cheap labour. Scientifically approved watershed practices can ensure that wells and tube wells yield sufficient water. Programmes with large funds can be dovetailed

Therefore, in rainfed areas, PDS must be decentralised at the block level itself. Local procurement and distribution through grassroots-level institutions can prove efficient and cheaper. R

K SAMA _Water And Sanitation Management Organisation, Gandhinagar, Gujarat_ CUTTING CONSUMPTION Developing nations are demanding that developed nations cut their energy consumption

drastically with guaranteed results. But developing countries are not playing their role effectively (‘According to USA’, January 1-15, 2010). An enormous amount of money is being spent on

widening roads and building flyovers. Then the government says it does not have money for rehabilitating people living in slums. All roads 10 metres wide should have a bus rapid transit

system. If private vehicles get stuck in traffic jams, they will start using public transport. Bus services must be introduced to railway stations and airports. Air-conditioners are one of

the biggest energy guzzlers. In Mumbai, of the total power demand of 2,700 MW, 1,000 MW or almost 40 per cent comes from air-conditioning alone. To reduce this demand, a few steps could be

taken: