Pawar asks agri scientists to increase crop productivity
Indian scientists must find out ways to raise crop productivity for meeting domestic demand and cutting import dependence, says Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: Indian scientists must find out ways to raise crop productivity for meeting domestic demand and cutting import dependence, failing which the country could face a farm crisis, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said.
"If you are not going to produce to meet the demand of both domestic and other developing countries, I think we are going to invite serious problem," Pawar said at the conference of vice-chancellors of state agricultural universities.
Expressing concern over the slow pace of farm research in the country, he asked scientists to raise productivity and production of various crops. He said people have started questioning the relevance of agricultural research in view of India's growing dependence on imports. With no significant varietal breakthroughs in the case of pulses and oilseeds, the country has to meet its demand through imports, he added.
"When comparisons are made regarding the pace of innovations in universities abroad and the number of patents held by our agriculture universities and research institutions, the performance is not at all satisfactory," he said.
India imported Rs 3,851 crore of pulses and Rs 9,416 crore of edible oils in 2006-07. Annual production of pulses is stagnant in the range of 11-14 million tons while that of oilseeds touched 25 million tons, well below domestic demand.
"A situation of mismatch between demand and supply is emerging in wheat also, as we have seen in recent years," he said. The wheat import bill in last two years stands at about Rs 7,500 crore, he added.
India imported 55 lakh tons of wheat in 2006-07 and has contracted to buy 18 lakh tons from overseas market this year. Wheat production has been in the range of 68-75 million tons in recent years, with an average yield of 2,662 kg a hectare.
"If you are not going to produce to meet the demand of both domestic and other developing countries, I think we are going to invite serious problem," Pawar said at the conference of vice-chancellors of state agricultural universities.
Expressing concern over the slow pace of farm research in the country, he asked scientists to raise productivity and production of various crops. He said people have started questioning the relevance of agricultural research in view of India's growing dependence on imports. With no significant varietal breakthroughs in the case of pulses and oilseeds, the country has to meet its demand through imports, he added.
"When comparisons are made regarding the pace of innovations in universities abroad and the number of patents held by our agriculture universities and research institutions, the performance is not at all satisfactory," he said.
India imported Rs 3,851 crore of pulses and Rs 9,416 crore of edible oils in 2006-07. Annual production of pulses is stagnant in the range of 11-14 million tons while that of oilseeds touched 25 million tons, well below domestic demand.
"A situation of mismatch between demand and supply is emerging in wheat also, as we have seen in recent years," he said. The wheat import bill in last two years stands at about Rs 7,500 crore, he added.
ADVERTISEMENT
India imported 55 lakh tons of wheat in 2006-07 and has contracted to buy 18 lakh tons from overseas market this year. Wheat production has been in the range of 68-75 million tons in recent years, with an average yield of 2,662 kg a hectare.
Download
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
