Give food production high priority in national policy: Prez

Food production deserves "very high priority" in national policy as more steps are required to provide it to the poor and the needy, President Pranab Mukherjee said today.
Mitigation of hunger is a universal fight that requires cooperation of all nations, he said, stressing upon the need for greater use of modern technologies in the sector, especially for weather forecasting.
"There are many regions in the world where food deprivation persists. Steps are required to secure for the poor and the needy greater access to food," Mukherjee said while inaugurating a workshop on wheat rust disease.
Poverty alleviation and creation of rural employment can be achieved through higher production, he said, adding: "In the national policy making, food production deserves very high priority."

Mukherjee recalled the contribution of Norman Borlaug, Father of Green Revolution, in helping India become from the world's second largest wheat producer and exporter, from being a net importer.
He emphasised upon the need for higher food production as the country's progress and development are possible only by securing health of its people.

As agriculture is still in the grip of weather in many regions of the world, Mukherjee advocated more use of communication and information technology for weather forecasting as this will help farmers prevent crop failure.
To manage the risk of crop failure due to natural calamities, pests and diseases, mechanisms such as agricultural insurance must be strengthened, he added.

Although the country has given importance for raising crop yields through use of high yielding hybrid seeds among others, Mukherjee suggested to include propagation of balanced use of fertilisers and pesticides in the farm strategy.
"...Disproportionate use (of fertiliser and pesticide) could eventually lead to a decline in productivity," he said.