India's agriculture mantra should be 'per drop, more crop': PM Modi at ICAR

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke of his government’s roadmap for development in the agricultural sector in his address at an award ceremony at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in New Delhi. [caption id=“attachment_1639421” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] PM Narendra Modi talked about agricultural development at ICAR in New Delhi. PTI[/caption] Modi began his speech by asking everyone present to give a standing ovation to the farmers of the country, adding that he was confident India would see great progress in agriculture. However, the Prime Minister said this progress needs to comprehensively reach the farmers. “Until the farmer does not receive the benefits of scientific and technological developments, true progress is incomplete,” he said, adding that “in a time of changing climate, we need to celebrate trust with the farmers.” Talking about empowering farmers on a global scale, Modi also said, “Farmers do not have the time required for improving soil of the land. We need to empower farmers to produce more, earn more. Agricultural production needs to made faster without quality erosion.” Modi also spoke of water conservation and improving milk production. “There is often a clash between water cycle and weather cycle. Water is the gift of God. We need to learn how to preserve this gift. ‘Per drop, more crop’ should become our mission statement so that the farmer has awareness of water conservation,” he said. “The demand for milk is much more than its supply, milk production needs to improve,” Modi added. Agricultural colleges could also do a lot to help farmers, according to Modi. “Do agricultural universities have any data on the farmers of their localities? Such institutions need to provide help to farmers,” he said. “Our agricultural colleges can have their own radio stations because the farmer often listens to the radio. Can research from agricultural colleges be digitally compiled and preserved in 4 or 5 years?” he asked. Medicinal farming was also an issue the prime minister addressed. “Sea weed is the most important resource for pharmaceutical. We need to provide help to our fishermen too… Both China and India have the Himalayas. But China went ahead in medicinal farming. Medicinal farming needs to optimally utilised in India,” Modi said.