The Business Bytes
TBB BUREAU
NEW DELHI, AUGUST 27, 2022
“We need to take our agricultural growth rate to at least 22%. Then we will have Aatma Nirbhar villages, smart villages. This will thus benefit villages, farmers and the poor; new jobs, schools, hospitals, agro-based industries and irrigation facilities will come up in rural areas, transforming our villages,” said Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari.
Acknowledging the contribution of the National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, Nagpur for the development of the nation, the Minister highlighted that we need to improve the productivity of the agriculture sector, on which the majority of the population depends.
Addressing the 46th Foundation Day celebrations of National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning, Nagpur today, Gadkari suggested that the National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning can work together with Agricultural Universities in each region to study soil quality of the region and advise farmers how to improve agricultural productivity of the region.
“We need to address the difficulties in transformation of technology and knowledge. We can increase the productivity of crops if we work using a coordinated approach. Example, we are not able to export 80% of our oranges due to their small size; such problems can be solved by working jointly,” Gadkari said adding that once we understand water, land, soil and climate and the interactions among them, we will be able to improve our performance.
The Union Minister observed that per acre agricultural output in India is very low in comparison to world standards. He explained that the challenge is how to make right and appropriate knowledge available to the last man in an effective manner. “We should take knowledge on soil, seeds, land, water, choice of fertilizers and best agriculture practices, to farmers in villages using regional language and using mediums such as short films and through local agricultural colleges and universities. This will help increase agricultural productivity. Our economy is based on water, land, forest and animals. Hence, when the fruits of research are utilized by the last person, then knowledge and research become really meaningful.”
