Government pitches for biotech crops to achieve 2nd green revolution

RANCHI: Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh today pitched for biotech crops especially in eastern states for achieving second green revolution in the country.

Opening a new agricultural biotechnology institute in the state will pave way for preparing trained human resources, he said after laying the foundation stone of Indian Institute of Agricultural Bio-Technology at Garh Khatanga near Ranchi.

Stating that there is a need to bring second Green Revolution particularly in eastern states, Singh said: "As such agricultural biotechnology will play a significant role in increasing quality production in these states."

He said the central government has taken a decision to open an agricultural biotechnology institute in Jharkhand keeping in view the importance of agricultural biotechnology, an official statement said.

Highlighting the benefits of biotechnology, Singh said crops can be made climate resilient and drop in production can be addressed with use of biotech crops.

In the backrop of limited natural resources and growing population, there is an urgent need to change the traditional methods of agriculture, he added. The mission of the institute will be to strengthen ongoing research work, fundamental research in the field of biotechnology, as also building capacity for human resources.

The institute will play an important role in strengthening employment security and food security for tribal population and farmers in the state.

The government proposes to confer the deemed university status to this institute, he added. The government has allowed commercial cultivation of Bt cotton, while moratorium has been imposed on Bt brinjal.