PM to farmers: Use scientific methods to enhance production

Says a balanced and a comprehensive integrated plan is required to change the lives of farmers

Calling for second Green Revolution, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked the farming community to adopt scientific methods to enhance foodgrain production particularly of pulses which India has to import because of shortages.

He said Indian farmers are still lagging behind in terms of availability of good quality seeds, adequate water, power, availability of right price and market for their produce.

"Unless we prepare a balanced and a comprehensive integrated plan, we will not be able to change the lives of farmers," he said here while laying foundation stone of Indian Agricultural Research Institute.

Emphasising the need for use of scientific methods for farming to increase productivity, Modi said it was high time that the country goes for the second Green Revolution as the first such revolution took place long back.

Noting that the eastern part of India has the potential to bring about the second Green Revolution. "It can take place in eastern UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam, Odhisa," Modi said.

Pitching for 'per drop, more crop', Modi stressed the need for research in the field of agriculture to determine the health of soil and its needs in terms of seeds, water quantity, amount of fertilization etc.

He said the government was taking steps to train youth in soil testing so that such labs could be set up on the pattern of pathological labs for humans. "This will also lead to job creation," he added.

Turning to pulses, he said India has to import these because of shortfall in production and noted that a special package has been given to farmers engaged in cultivation of pulses.

"The production of pulses in the country is very low and I urge farmers that if they have five acres of farming land, use four acres for other crops but cultivate pulses on at least one acre," Modi said.