Guv tells scientists to bring cheers on the face of farmers

Jharkhand Governor Droupadi Murmu today said scientists will be judged on the basis of their contribution made in bringing cheers on the face of farmers.

"Scientists will not be judged on the basis of number of research papers, books and bulletins published, PhD students produced and technologies developed but on the basis of contribution made in bringing cheers on the face of farmers with their socio-economic development and elimination of their pains and predicament associated with farming," she said.

Addressing the 57th India Wheat and Barley Research Workers' meet at the Birsa Agriculture University here, Murmu said that agriculture is the backbone of Indian economy and it generates a significant number of employment.

"You have to ensure that the benefits of your knowledge and skills reach the most underprivileged population of over six lakh villages of our country. Targets of increased food production to meet the future requirement of our country have to be achieved ... This can be realised with the application of frontier technologies, like, biotechnology, nanotechnology and information technology," she said.

The three most important food crops---rice, wheat and maize---directly contribute more than half of all calories consumed by human beings, she said.

The governor said some extra miles have to be covered to double the income of farmers by 2022.

"The target to double the income of farmers by 2022, as vision by our visionary Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have to run some extra miles to achieve. Lets all join hand together and make this true and achievable," Murmu said.

"I am informed that All India Coordinated Wheat Improvement Project was established in 1965 by ICAR. Wheat and barley coordinated system is one of the most successful and resulted in the development of more than 430 wheat varieties suited to different agro-ecological conditions and growing situations," Murmu said.

She said improved wheat and barley varieties played a pivotal role in food security of the country.

The BAU is one of the important centre located in Eastern zone and has developed many technologies and recommendations for higher crop production in eastern India Murmu said.