SCIENTISTS PLEASE HELP!!

 

​Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, on Tuesday called upon agricultural scientists to focus on soil fertility since demand for food was increasing and the land available would not increase.

Addressing the agricultural scientific community on the 86th Foundation Day of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) here, Modi also called upon scientists to work towards achieving self-sufficiency in edible oils, improving protein content and ensuring the availability of pulses.

Two-fold objective

He said scientists should work towards a two-fold objective — of enabling the Indian farmer to feed India and the world, as well as earn good income.

Giving away 10 awards for excellence in agricultural research, the Prime Minister said farming in India was hereditary, and practices were difficult to change, adding that change would happen only when the farmer was convinced about its efficacy.

“Therefore, agricultural scientists must — in accordance with changing circumstances of climate, water and soil — help the farmer get convinced about their initiatives,” he said.

Changing weather cycle

Commenting on the changing weather cycle and its impact on farming, the Prime Minister also urged scientists to work towards managing the water cycle so that more crop can be grown per drop (of water) .

Animal husbandry, the lifeline of agriculture in India, also required special attention from researchers, especially to raise the level of milk productivity. He also called for a ‘blue revolution’ to extend the benefits of scientific research to the fisheries sector.

Digitised database

Calling for a digitised database of all agricultural research in the country, Modi said young, educated and progressive farmers and agricultural research scholars could together form a talent pool in all districts.

To meet the challenge of 'lab to land', he also exhorted agricultural colleges to start radio stations for farmers.