PM pitches for need to promote agri start-ups

New Delhi, July 4: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday reviewed the progress of agriculture research, extension and education in India and pitched for promoting start-ups and agri-entrepreneurs to ensure innovation and use of technology in farming and allied sectors.

He underlined the need for developing forward and backward linkages to assure better returns to farmers, an official statement said.

Taking to Twitter later, the Prime Minister said, “India is placing great importance to education in the agricultural sector that benefits the farmers.”

India is proud of its traditional agro knowledge and will complement it with latest technology to ensure a boost to the income of farmers, he said. At the review, Mr Modi highlighted the need to adopt organic and natural farming practices on a cluster based approach.

The Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed georeferenced Organic Carbon Map of India, identified 88 bio control agents and 22 Bio pesticides which can promote organic agriculture, the statement said.

The Prime Minister also directed that start-ups and agri-entrepreneurs need to be promoted to ensure innovation and use of technology in agriculture and allied sectors. He highlighted the need to leverage information technology to provide information on demand to the farmers.

He suggested that hackathons may be organised twice a year to solve identified problems and meet design needs for tools and equipment that can reduce drudgery if farming activity, given that a large number of farm workers are women.

He exhorted the need to create awareness regarding inclusion of millets like jowar, bajra, ragi and several other minor millets in diet to ensure a healthy diet.

In order to enhance water use efficiency, the Prime Minister desired that awareness and outreach programmes be conducted.

While reviewing the contributions of ICAR in developing new breeds of cattle, sheep and goats, the prime minister highlighted the need for research on indigenous breeds of dogs and horses. He directed that a focused mission mode approach be adopted for vaccination drives for Foot and Mouth disease.

India is placing great importance to education in the agricultural sector that benefits the farmers. India is proud of its traditional agro knowledge and will complement it with latest technology.

— Narendra Modi, Prime Minister