Innovate in farming sector: Modi to scientists

Think of inch of land and bunch of crop, says PM

Researchers should think about “an inch of land and a bunch of crop” to contribute to the national goal of doubling income of the farmers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has advised the scientists.

“We have always said, per drop more crop. We must also think about an inch of land and a bunch of crop as the government is working with the aim of doubling the income of farmers by 2022,” Modi said here on Monday at the platinum jubilee anniversary of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

India will celebrate its 75th year of Independence in 2022. The prime minister’s comments asking scientists to innovate in farm research comes during an ongoing debate on the commercialisation of indigenous genetically modified mustard varieties created by scientists in Delhi University.

“If you can develop varieties of dal (pulses), then it can be used in rain-fed areas and give a boost to production. It will also help address shortage of proteins in the body,” Modi said.

Modi released seven new plant varieties developed by CSIR laboratories to the farmers in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, Assam and Jammu and Kashmir. These varieties include citronella, rose-scented geranium, lemongrass, calla-lily, new turmeric, vetiver and gerbera.

The prime minister underscored the need to find technological solutions to address major problems being faced by the farmers, not only in terms of increasing the yield of the produce but also in growing crops in wasteland areas. “There is a need to connect science with common citizens of the country,” he said. India’s most well known research and development organisation CSIR was set up in 1942 to mainly provide technical support to large engineering and scientific projects besides generating trained manpower. The council now has 37 laboratories and 39 field stations.

CSIR is under pressure from the Modi government to generate more revenue and carry out more socially relevant research. “Sometimes, we keep on conducting researches on things which will be used after 50 or 100 years. We should use science to combat problems we are facing now. This is important for a country like India,” he said.