CM seeks tech to reduce farmers' distress

Stating that financial packages announced by the Centre and state government alone could not prevent farmers' suicides, Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today appealed to agriculture scientists to develop technologies that will reduce farmers' distress.

He was addressing a convention of farmers here at the opening day of the agro-technology week (Krishi Tantradnyan Saptah). The CM appealed to the farmers not to rely upon one crop alone but should think about cultivating pulses and fruits.

The function presided over by minister for agriculture Balasaheb Thorat, was also attended by Nanasaheb Patil, chief secretary to government, Departmental of Agriculture, Vijay Kolthe, vice-president, Agricultural Education and Research Council of Maharashtra, and Santramji Kadam, vice-chancellor of Marathwada Agricultural University, Parbhani.

Union Agricultural Minister Sharad Pawar will attend the concluding session of the seminar on October 13.