President calls for second Green Revolution
Amid growing concerns over a slow rate of agricultural growth, President Pratibha Patil on Saturday called for a second Green Revolution to make India an agrarian superpower.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: Amid growing concerns over a slow rate of agricultural growth, President Pratibha Patil on Saturday called for a second Green Revolution to make India an agrarian superpower.
"We now need a Second Green Revolution that will enhance our agricultural productivity and make India an agrarian superpower," Patil said delivering the valedictory centenary lecture in memory of Babu Jagjivan Ram.
She asked policy makers, scientists and farmers to work towards this objective.
Patil recalled that Ram, as food and agriculture minister, had pulled the country out of a severe drought.
She said Ram "heralded the Green Revolution and for the first time made India self-sufficient in food".
"Babuji helped reshape agricultural priorities and revamp the agricultural research management system in a manner that there was synergy between scientists' expertise and farmers' experience," Patil said.
Noting that it was education that empowered Ram and gave him the capacity to serve the country, she said it was the duty of the government, society and families have a duty to ensure that children receive education.
"Providing access to primary education to all is our firm commitment and obligation. We have to make special efforts for children coming from under-privileged backgrounds," she said.
"In this context, it is important that education schemes for the weaker and disadvantaged sections of society, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are implemented and properly monitored," Patil said.
"We now need a Second Green Revolution that will enhance our agricultural productivity and make India an agrarian superpower," Patil said delivering the valedictory centenary lecture in memory of Babu Jagjivan Ram.
She asked policy makers, scientists and farmers to work towards this objective.
Patil recalled that Ram, as food and agriculture minister, had pulled the country out of a severe drought.
She said Ram "heralded the Green Revolution and for the first time made India self-sufficient in food".
"Babuji helped reshape agricultural priorities and revamp the agricultural research management system in a manner that there was synergy between scientists' expertise and farmers' experience," Patil said.
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Noting that it was education that empowered Ram and gave him the capacity to serve the country, she said it was the duty of the government, society and families have a duty to ensure that children receive education.
"Providing access to primary education to all is our firm commitment and obligation. We have to make special efforts for children coming from under-privileged backgrounds," she said.
"In this context, it is important that education schemes for the weaker and disadvantaged sections of society, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are implemented and properly monitored," Patil said.
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