The Hindu : National : Swaminathan urges scientists to work with farmers

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Saturday, Jul 17, 2010
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National

Swaminathan urges scientists to work with farmers

Gargi Parsai

NEW DELHI: Noted agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan on Friday urged researchers to take the lead in forging strong relationships with farmers to help them improve their incomes and yield per hectare.

“The green revolution was a farmers' revolution. It were the farmers who triggered the high yield programme [in wheat],” he said in his Foundation Day Lecture on `Agro Bio-diversity Management for Sustainable Food Security' at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Annual Awards ceremony here.

Union Agriculture and Food Minister Sharad Pawar gave awards to five outstanding institutions, 127 scientists and three farmers.

Outlining a road map for effective management of the agro bio-diversity to maintain sustainable food security, Dr. Swaminathan emphasised the crucial role of technological research in achieving breakthroughs which result in revolutions.

He urged farmers to develop awareness regarding locally available agro bio-diversity in neighbourhood community to encourage grassroots conservation. “Local community participation in all conservation efforts is an essential component for success. A bio-diversity literacy movement should be initiated to educate people regarding the importance of genetic resources.”

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