New Delhi, 4 May (IANS). Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan on Sunday changed the genome and announced the development of two varieties of prepared rice. India became the first country in the world to achieve this feat.
This is a new beginning in the field of scientific research and innovation. The development of these new crops will not only increase production but will also give positive results in the environment. This will save irrigation water and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which will reduce the pressure on the environment.
Addressing the people present at an event here, Chauhan said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, “India’s dream is coming true for the developed nation and farmers are moving towards prosperity. Today’s achievement will be written in golden letters.”
The minister said, “During the Amrit Mahotsav of independence, PM Modi had called upon the farmers to adopt modern technology to deal with agricultural challenges. Inspired by their words, scientists of ICAR (Indian Agricultural Research) have achieved extraordinary achievements in the field of agriculture with the creation of these new varieties.”
Chauhan emphasized that there is a need to ensure food security in the coming time, increase nutritious production and provide food for both India and the world. Along with this, India also needs to make the world’s food basket.
He said, “We are proud that our efforts have exported basmati rice worth Rs 48,000 crore annually.”
The minister also emphasized the need to take more steps to increase the production of soybean, arhar, tur, lentils, urad, oilseeds and pulses.
Chauhan also introduced the “Minus 5 and Plus 10” formula, stating that it includes increasing rice production by 10 million tonnes despite reducing the rice cultivation by five million hectares. This will empty the space for cultivation of pulses and oilseeds.
He urged farmers, especially young farmers to adopt advanced farming techniques. Chauhan said, “We need to take agricultural research to farmers. When agricultural scientists and farmers work together, there will be a miracle.”
-IANS
SCH/Ekde
