Modi urges scientists to ensure higher farm productivity

Statement comes in the wake of surging prices; PM also stresses on water management following weak monsoon

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today laid  stress  on increasing farm productivity, at a time when the government is being attacked for surging prices of some essential commodities. He emphasised on scientific management of water, as the monsoon plays hide and seek.

Speaking at the foundation day of the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) here, Modi said, "Except for increasing productivity per hectare, we have no choice. We also have to quicken the pace and ensure that there is no erosion in quality."

He particularly wanted scientists to ensure that production of oil seeds and pulses rises so that their import dependence could be reduced.  

While prices of some essential commodities such as tomatoes skyrocketed, those of pulses and edible oils are range-bound this time around. For instance, retail prices of tomatoes rose three times to Rs 58 a kg as on July 28 in Delhi against Rs 19 as on June 27, according to data with the consumer affairs department.

However, prices of pulses such as moong declined by one rupee to Rs 91 a kg, while groundnut oil turned cheaper by Rs 2 to Rs 155 a kg over this period.

That said, rise in prices of tomatoes is a seasonal phenomenon.

The prime minister wanted remunerative prices to farmers for their produce.

"We have to think about how our farmers can feed India and the world and how agriculture enriches the pockets  of farmers  too," he said.

Modi advocated scientific management of water cycle  keeping in mid the (changing) weather cycle.

The south-west monsoon was over 40 per cent below  normal till the end of June, but the situation improved following heavy rain in the second half of July. Now, the monsoon is expected to be 20 per cent below  normal in the first two months of its four-month stay over India.  

Modi said after the green and the white revolution, the country should look at the blue revolution-- fisheries. "There is great scope for development there," he said.

He also talked of taking laboratories to land and setting up radio stations in agriculture colleges.