Indian Prime Minister seeks to double farmers’ income by 2022

Post date: Apr 4, 2016 10:28:37 AM

by Mayank Sharma

NEW DELHI, India—Modern agricultural technology and modernization could help double the current incomes of farmers within six years according to India’s prime minister.

Honorable Shri Narendra Modi, prime minister, Government of India, made the statement during the inauguration of Krishi Unnati Mela agriculture fair and exhibition.

“The next revolution in Indian agriculture has to be built on technology and modernization,” Modi emphasized. He also gave a clarion call for a second green revolution in the eastern states through the adoption of modern technologies. During the mega event, over one million farmers from various Indian states visited the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) exhibit. The exhibit showcased various technologies developed and promoted by the institute for Indian farmers through the Stress Tolerant Rice for Africa and South Asia and the Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia projects. These include stress-tolerant rice varieties (STRVs), Crop Manager for Rice-based Systems, seed production and post-harvest techniques publications, a manual rice transplanter, the Community Mat Nursery, and the performance charts of STRVs. IRRI representatives, Mr. Mayank Sharma, Mr. Sarovar Yadav, Mr. Amit Mishra, and Mr. Sandeep Baluni gave demonstrations and explanations on the various technologies promoted by IRRI.

Farmers who are already cultivating STRVs shared their experiences and suggestions, particularly those from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Farmers from the two states were very satisfied with the performance of the drought-tolerant Sahbhagi Dhan as their areas experienced severe drought last year. The farmers also showed interest in other recently released varieties such as BINA Dhan 11, DRR42, DRR44, Sambha-Sub1, among others.

Other visitors at the IRRI display were Union Ministers Shri Radha Mohan Singh and Shri Nitin Gatkari, chief minister of Chhattisgarh. Other officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, agriculture scientists, and extension agencies personnel also stopped by the institute’s booth.

Krishi Unnati Mela was organized jointly by the Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, and the Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI). It was held in Pusa on 19-21 March.