The Hindu : New Delhi News : President calls for a second green revolution

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President calls for a second green revolution

Special Correspondent

Urges scientists to devise strategies for optimum use of natural resources

– PHOTO: PTI

Welcome: President Pratibha Patil being received by Rajasthan Governor Shivraj Patil and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on her arrival at Udaipur airport on Wednesday.

UDAIPUR: President Pratibha Patil on Wednesday called upon agricultural scientists in the country to launch “sustained and coordinated efforts” for facilitating a second green revolution and devise strategies for optimum use of natural resources to create new avenues in agriculture for livelihood and strengthen the rural areas.

Inaugurating the 5th All-India Krishi Vigyan Kendra Conference-2010 at Mohanlal Sukhadia University auditorium here, Ms. Patil said the agriculture sector should get benefits of new research, innovative practices and modern technology. “Scientists should make use of their rich experience to ensure more profits in agricultural profession,” she remarked.

The theme of the five-day event is “Development of entrepreneurship among farmers”. Programme coordinators of the 589 Krishi Vigyan Kendras across the country and Vice-Chancellors of 45 agricultural universities are among the participants in the conference.

The President referred to her recent visit to Syria while emphasising the need for achieving “new dimensions” in agriculture and asked the agricultural research institutions and universities to come forward and help improve farm productivity. The activities of universities should be especially reviewed regularly in this regard, she said.

“Agriculture has historically been the mainstay of our economy and the foundation for our development. It is the most potent method today to provide support to our [increasing] population,” said Ms. Patil.

She recalled the significance attached by Mahatma Gandhi to agriculture for the development of the country while affirming that India could emerge powerful among the comity of nations only with development supported by a robust agriculture sector.

The President felt that training in agricultural innovations to women – 65 per cent of whom are engaged in agricultural activities – would open up “new horizons”. She said the Krishi Vigyan Kendras should play an important role in this regard in collaboration with the voluntary institutions and corporate sector.

Ms. Patil also called for financial empowerment of agricultural research institutions to facilitate invention of new methodologies and discovery of new techniques and maintain a balance in the exploitation of water and natural resources.

Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Union Rural Development Minister C. P. Joshi, Minister of State for Agriculture K. V. Thomas, acting Rajasthan Governor Shivraj Patil, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and members of the State Cabinet attended the inaugural function. The conference is expected to take some major policy decisions in connection with agricultural research.

Representatives of the Indian Council for Agricultural Research and the Planning Commission are among those attending the conference, organised jointly by ICAR and Maharana Pratap Agricultural University, Udaipur.

Ms. Patil gave away awards for excellence to Krishi Vigan Kendras of Kanchipuram, Kannur and Cuddalore on the occasion.

Three progressive farmers from Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Punjab were also honoured, while an exhibition on entrepreneurship in agriculture was organised at the venue.

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