'Develop drought-tolerant seeds, crops'

 
He was speaking at a national symposium on the ‘Application of nuclear and space technologies for the benefit of farmers’ at the University of Agricultural Sciences in the City.
 
Dr Kakodkar said, “We need to come out with drought-tolerant seeds and crop varieties to promote food security and boost agricultural output.”

The country needs to produce more foodgrains in view of the large power of purchase and demand, Dr Kakodkar observed.

Technological aid

Describing excess rainfall in some regions and drought conditions in others as “shock” to food output, the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission emphasised the role of science and space technologies to assist in matters relating to seeds, crop varieties and agriculture patterns.

“The country should introduce different technologies in different geographical regions/states based on the kinds of soil that exists there” Dr Kakodkar added.

The symposium was organised by the at the University of Agricultural Sciences in association with the Consortium of Indian Farmers Association.