Need to boost agriculture mechanisation: Minister

There is a need to boost agriculture mechanisation to enhance crop productivity to feed the growing population, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said on Friday.

After launching a coffee table book 'Agri-Mechanisation for Make in India', Singh said: "India's population is going to be 140 crore in 2020, which poses challenge to food security. Agriculture mechanisation will play important role in addressing this problem."

The book is produced by the Social Responsibility Council (SRC), a non-profit organisation, in coordination with the Agriculture Ministry.

Agriculture mechanisation is a process to use equipment, machinery on great extent to boost productivity.

Singh, however, added that agriculture mechanisation can face problems in rural parts where 55 per cent of farmers are either small farmers or marginal farmers.

At the same event, Agriculture Ministry Secretary Shobhana K. Pattanayak said that India was emerging leader in export of agricultural machinery.

"Agriculture mechanisation will not just help in enhancing income of farmers but reduce drudgery also. India has been a frontrunner for manufacturing of agricultural machinery, which are known for quality and preciseness with it works in the field," Pattanayak said.

--IANS

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