<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday prescribed twin mantras to farmers—less land, less time, more crop, and per drop, more crop—to increase farm productivity.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Urging farm scientists to explain their research to farmers in simpler terms, Modi said productivity would increase only when findings of laboratories would be tested in the field.<br /><br />“Change can happen only when the farmer is convinced about its (research’s) efficacy,” said the prime minister at a function marking the 86th Foundation Day of the Indian Council for Agriculture Research (ICAR).<br /><br />He also asked scientists to look for ways to increase productivity of oilseeds and pulses, so as to reduce India's dependence on import.<br /><br />Industry estimates have pegged India’s edible oil imports for 2014-15 at over 12.1 million tonne—one million tonne more than the previous year—owing to sub-normal monsoon in the country.<br /><br />The prime minister also batted for better remunerative prices to farmers for their produce. “We have to think about how our farmers can feed India and the world, and earn a good income in the process,” he said.<br /><br />Noting that the growing demand for food would have to be met through the limited land available, Modi asked scientists to focus on soil fertility and water conservation.<br /><br />Contending that farmers listened to the radio more, the prime minister asked college students to start radio programmes for the benefit of farmers.<br /><br />Modi also advocated scientific management of water, keeping in mind the changing weather cycle. The south-west monsoon was more than 40 per cent below normal till the end of June, but the situation has improved following heavy rain in the second half of July.<br /><br />Modi said after the green and the white revolution, the country should look at the blue revolution, which would extend the benefits of scientific research to the fisheries sector.<br /><br />He also called for greater research and promotion of coastal seaweed and Himalayan herbal medicinal plants. “There is great scope for development there,” he said.<br /><br />Speaking at the event, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said keeping in view forecast of a sub-par monsoon, the ICAR had prepared contingency plans for 520 districts.<br />However, the Centre is yet to receive any information from state governments on declaration of drought in any region, he said.<br /></p>
<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday prescribed twin mantras to farmers—less land, less time, more crop, and per drop, more crop—to increase farm productivity.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Urging farm scientists to explain their research to farmers in simpler terms, Modi said productivity would increase only when findings of laboratories would be tested in the field.<br /><br />“Change can happen only when the farmer is convinced about its (research’s) efficacy,” said the prime minister at a function marking the 86th Foundation Day of the Indian Council for Agriculture Research (ICAR).<br /><br />He also asked scientists to look for ways to increase productivity of oilseeds and pulses, so as to reduce India's dependence on import.<br /><br />Industry estimates have pegged India’s edible oil imports for 2014-15 at over 12.1 million tonne—one million tonne more than the previous year—owing to sub-normal monsoon in the country.<br /><br />The prime minister also batted for better remunerative prices to farmers for their produce. “We have to think about how our farmers can feed India and the world, and earn a good income in the process,” he said.<br /><br />Noting that the growing demand for food would have to be met through the limited land available, Modi asked scientists to focus on soil fertility and water conservation.<br /><br />Contending that farmers listened to the radio more, the prime minister asked college students to start radio programmes for the benefit of farmers.<br /><br />Modi also advocated scientific management of water, keeping in mind the changing weather cycle. The south-west monsoon was more than 40 per cent below normal till the end of June, but the situation has improved following heavy rain in the second half of July.<br /><br />Modi said after the green and the white revolution, the country should look at the blue revolution, which would extend the benefits of scientific research to the fisheries sector.<br /><br />He also called for greater research and promotion of coastal seaweed and Himalayan herbal medicinal plants. “There is great scope for development there,” he said.<br /><br />Speaking at the event, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said keeping in view forecast of a sub-par monsoon, the ICAR had prepared contingency plans for 520 districts.<br />However, the Centre is yet to receive any information from state governments on declaration of drought in any region, he said.<br /></p>
