The Prime Minister,
Shri NarendraModi, has exhorted agricultural scientists to work towards a
two-fold objective of enabling the Indian farmer to (a) feed India and the
world; (rashtra aur vishva ka pet bhare) and (b) earn a good income
in the process. (kisan ki jeb bhare)
Addressing the agricultural
scientific community on the 86th Foundation Day of ICAR, at the NASC Complex in
Delhi, the Prime Minister – who was earlier greeted with a “standing ovation” –
called upon the audience to give a “standing ovation” to the millions of Indian
farmers, who, he said, have played a huge role in changing India’s
fortunes.
Speaking after giving
away ten awards for excellence in agricultural research, ShriNarendraModi asked
the scientists to elaborate upon their research in simple terms, so that it
could be understood by the farmers, and they could be convinced to try out new
products and initiatives.
Noting that farming in
India is hereditary, and practices are difficult to change, the Prime Minister
said that change can happen only when the farmer is 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.
The Prime Minister said
that the water-cycle has to be managed according to the
changing weather-cycle.
The Prime Minister
asked ICAR to set goals for their centenary, which is 14 years away.
He said the work of
ICAR should have two mantras:
• “Kam zameen, kam samay, zyaada upaj” –
Less land, less time, more crop
• “per drop, more crop”
• “per drop, more crop”
He called upon ICAR to set its sights on achieving
self-sufficiency in edible oil, and improving protein content and availability
of pulses.
Since demand is
increasing, and land available will not rise, the focus has to be on soil fertility,
the Prime Minister noted. Giving the example of Mahatma Gandhi, and his
commitment towards water conservation, the Prime Minister asked ICAR to work
for more efficient ways of water conservation and irrigation (jal sanchay se
jal seenchan)
Shri Modi also said
that in the field of animal husbandry, special efforts need to be made to raise
the level of milk productivity.
To meet the challenge
of “lab to land” – taking scientific research to successful interventions – the
Prime Minister exhorted agricultural colleges to start radio stations. Noting
that farmers listen to radio a lot, he said radio programmes run by college
students would prove extremely beneficial.
He called for a
digitized database of all agricultural research in the country. He said young
educated and progressive farmers; and agricultural research scholars can
together form a talent pool in all districts of the country.
The Prime Minister also
called for a blue revolution that would extend the benefits of scientific
research to the fisheries sector. He also called for greater research and
promotion of coastal seaweed, and Himalayan herbal medicinal plants.
