Indian farm sector should re-orient itself to face challenges, says ICAR DG and Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education
The Hindu
The Indian agriculture sector should re-orient itself to face different challenges, Himanshu Pathak, Director-General of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education, said on Friday.
The Indian agriculture sector should re-orient itself to face different challenges, Himanshu Pathak, Director-General of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education, said on Friday.
He was addressing farmers, scientists, researchers, technology developers, and others after inaugurating a three-day farm sector exhibition and seminar on ‘harnessing plantation sector for sustainable development goals’ organised by the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) at Kasaragod, Kerala.
The CPCRI has organised the exhibition and seminar on the occasion of its 109th foundation day which will be celebrated on January 5.
Mr. Pathak said that the ICAR has begun working on five dimensions or aspects to re-orient the farm sector. They are to make agriculture science and technology friendly; market friendly; youth and women friendly; nature friendly; and culture friendly.
He said transforming agriculture sector is crucial in making India a developed country. The agriculture practices will have to undergo a change, he said.
Mr. Pathak said that agriculture continues to be the backbone of India. The country which once faced food scarcity has now emerged self-reliant in food production and is exporting foodgrains. “We have now grown to such a state to bother about the food security of other countries,” he said.
The Indian agricultural growth now stood at about 3.5%, he said.

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