Wheat scientists meet

Union minister of state for planning M V Rajashekharan called on agricultural scientists to try and use newer and more advanced technologies to enhance genetic exploitation through biotech tools to raise yield of wheat in the country.

Speaking after inaugurating the 44th All India Wheat and Barley Research Workers' Meet at University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) in Dharwad, he said enhanced nutritional security, resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, development of variety for targetted end uses and development of genotypes suitable for micro level agro-ecological situations like limited irrigation could be achieved by biotechnological tools.

The minister noted that malnutrition was at a higher level, especially in rural areas where the crops were being grown.

"It is rather sad that around 17 million children around the world are dying by the age of five due to malnutrition," he observed.

He said that nearly 200 varieties of wheat have been released in India since the Green Revolution. The new crop varieties have shown tremendous potential but the genetic gain was plateauing. Further claims for enhancement in productivity seemed unrealistic.