Bhopal: Union agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh on Friday reviewed the progress of various developmental schemes by the Centre. The schemes included Food Security Mission, Gokul Gram, RKVY, Integrated Farming, Rainfed Area Development and ENAM.
He said there should be strong links between ATMA and ICAR Institutes, and the State Government machinery should ensure that scientist’s advice is taken during various schemes related to agriculture and farmers’ welfare. He also advised the officials that each KVK should have demonstration units on micro irrigation, appropriate post-harvest processing and a strong revenue generation model to demonstrate that farmers’ income can be doubled through improved technologies.
He also held meeting with scientists and staff of ICAR-CIAE, ICAR-IISS and ICAR-NIHSAD, Bhopal. Director of ICAR-CIAE, KK Singh, made a presentation on various technologies and achievements of the institute showcasing an impact of about Rs 4,500 crore per year on the Indian agriculture.
An exhibition and demonstration of improved agricultural machines developed at ICAR-CIAE was also shown to the minister. He also lauded the efforts of scientists and staff of ICAR institutes and specifically mentioned some achievements of Madhya Pradesh-based ICAR-funded units. He urged the scientific community to find solutions for new problems related to input cost, output management, soil health, income generation and sustainability of farming.
He said every institute should have a model farm area of about five acres to demonstrate that advance technologies help in higher revenue generation to the farmers. Institute should use their resources to increase institute income and also to strengthen inter personal relation among staff for improved work efficiency.
He held two meetings with officials of the state government including. Agricultural production commissioner including principal secretary of agriculture and farmers’ welfare, animal husbandry, managing directors of agricultural marketing board and senior officials from ICAR-CIAE, ICARIISS, and many other officers were present at the meeting.
