Venkaiah pitches for lifting restriction on agri movement

Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu today raised the pitch for lifting restrictions on the movement of agricultural produce in the country.
Speaking after presenting the prestigious 5th M S Swaminathan Award to senior agricultural scientist Surender Lal Goswami at a function here, Naidu said why is there an exception for food grains while items like watches and garments are even being allowed for exports.
"Every other item in the country is easily movable but agricultural produces are unfortunately not allowed to be moved. Restrictions on food grains movement (within the country) have to be removed," he said.
The minister for Urban Development also stressed the need for new and yield-enhancing seeds, technologies and methodology aimed at making farming profitable.

The M S Swaminathan Award, jointly instituted by Retired ICAR Employees Association and Nuziveedu Seeds Ltd, is conferred on individuals who have undertaken outstanding work in the field of agriculture, animal sciences and fisheries.
It carries a cash prize of Rs two lakh and a gold medal.
The work of Goswami, former Director of National Academy of Agricultural Research Management, in livestock cytogenetics included delineation of the chromosome profile of various breeds of cattle, buffaloes, goats, and birds.