Minister pitches for farmer-oriented research

Scientists should focus more on farmer-oriented research activities to improve the agriculture sector of the country, Union Minister Union Minister Sanjeev Kumar Balyan said today.
He was speaking at an interface meeting with the Directors and scientists of the institutes in Kochi under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare at the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) here.
"Scientists should always think for the farmer who is the corner stone of agriculture sector", he said adding that long-term planning is required to formulate developmental projects aimed at boosting the production in the country.
The Minister appreciated the scientists of CMFRI for their contributions in sea cage farming, technology development of the species such as cobia, silver pompano, and orange spotted groupers.

"The National Brood Bank set up by CMFRI is an important step in increasing the fish production in the country", he added.
A Gopalakrishnan, Director of CMFRI, said a Mariculture Policy should be formulated to regulate sea cage farming. "CMFRI has already transferred the technology of sea cage farming into farmers. Adequate hatcheries and nurseries should also be set up in order to extend the cage farming method into more areas", he said.