Kerala - Kochi   

‘Scientists must try for food security’

K.V. Thomas calls for constant interaction with farmers.

KOCHI: Union Minister of State for Agriculture K.V. Thomas has urged agricultural scientists in the country to live up to the challenge posed by the proposed Food Security Act.

Inaugurating a national seminar on “Enhancing Agriculture Productivity and Profitability” here on Saturday, Prof. Thomas said implementing the President’s declaration on food security which ensured 25 kilogram of rice or wheat at Rs.3 a kilogram to all Below Poverty Line (BPL) families was not easy.

“We are looking at a programme that would enable India to face any challenge (on food security) in the future,” he said. The programme, the Minister said, called for a sustained level of productivity.

Citing the conflict between the Planning Commission and States regarding the number of BPL families, Prof. Thomas said any difference of opinion on the implementation of the proposed scheme could be discussed and resolved. A series of discussions had been held in Delhi on how to implement the scheme, he said.

Emphasising the importance the Central government has been giving to the agriculture sector, Prof. Thomas said the last budget had given the biggest allocation for agriculture and allied projects after the defence sector.

“We should have a programme to ensure constant interaction with farmers to understand their problems,” he said. The Minister said the farmers should be taken to scientific institutes. Whatever had been done in the laboratory should ultimately benefit the farmers, Prof. Thomas said.

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