Prime Minister Narendra Modi released 109 high-yielding, climate-resilient and biofortified varieties of crops at India Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi earlier today.
The Prime Minister also interacted with the farmers and scientists on the occasion. Discussing the importance of these new crop varieties, Prime Minister stressed on the significance of value addition in agriculture. The farmers said that these new varieties will be highly beneficial as they will help reduce their expenditure and also have a positive impact on the environment.
Prime Minister discussed the importance of millets and underlined how people are moving towards nutritious food. He also talked about the benefits of natural farming and the increasing faith of common people towards organic farming, adding that people have started consuming and demanding organic foods. The farmers appreciated the efforts undertaken by the government for promoting natural farming.
The farmers also lauded the role played by Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK) in creating awareness. Prime Minister suggested that KVKs should proactively inform farmers about the benefits of the new varieties being developed every month to enhance awareness about their benefits.
Prime Minister also lauded the scientists for the development of these new crop varieties. The scientists informed that they have been working in line with the suggestion given by Prime Minister to bring unutilised crops into the mainstream.
The 109 varieties of 61 crops released by the Prime Minister included 34 field crops and 27 horticultural crops. Among the field crops, seeds of various cereals including millets, forage crops, oilseeds, pulses, sugarcane, cotton, fibre and other potential crops were released. Among the horticultural crops, different varieties of fruits, vegetable crops, plantation crops, tuber crops, spices, flowers and medicinal crops were released.
Later, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan addressed the media, stating that today is significant for farmers since the 109 varieties of 61 crops that have been released will help them produce more, earn more money and spend less. Chouhan said that the seeds of these crops are climate friendly and can yield good crop even in adverse weather. He also informed that these varieties are rich in nutrition. Today’s program is best example of lab to land program.
Respond to inquiries from the media, Chouhan declared that within three years, farmers will receive seeds from all 109 varieties. Additionally, he said that imports of exotic mango varieties are not currently necessary because our own variety is more productive, more aesthetically pleasing, and has superior keeping qualities, all of which can increase farmers’ income. All of these types are appropriate for natural farming, and research on this topic is ongoing.
On one day each month, the Prime Minister proposed that experts from KVK, ICAR, and state agricultural universities engage with farmers. The goal of this exchange should be to tackle a current issue related to agriculture and attempt to identify answers through mutual learning.
Union Ministers of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Bhagirath Choudhary and Ram Nath Thakur and DG ICAR& Secretary, DARE, Dr. Himanshu Pathak also graced the occasion along with 30 farmers from nearby state and all the DDGs and other officials of ICAR.
