35 new crop varieties with special traits were dedicated to the nation by PM Modi

Science and technology were being used on a priority basis to solve the challenges related to agriculture over the past five-six years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday.

He was addressing an event on Tuesday to dedicate to the nation 35 new crop varieties with special traits.

“Our focus is very high on more nutritious seeds, adapted to new conditions, especially in changing climates,'' said the Prime Minister in his address through video conference.

The Prime Minister also said that by connecting farmers with technology, the government had made it easier for them to get help from banks.

Farmers were also getting weather information in a better way, he added.

Prime Minister Modi remarked that due to climate change, new types of pests, new diseases, epidemics were emerging; because of this, there was a big threat to the health of humans and livestock and crops were also being affected.

Intensive continued research on these aspects is necessary, he added.

PM Modi recalled the massive locust attack in various states last year, in the midst of the Corona pandemic. India had tackled this attack by making a lot of efforts, saving farmers from incurring too much damage, he said.

PM Modi remarked that when science, government and society work together, results will be better. Such an alliance of farmers and scientists will strengthen the country in dealing with new challenges.

During the event, PM Modi dedicated to the nation the newly constructed campus of the National Institute of Biotic Stress Management Raipur.

He also distributed the Green Campus Award to Agricultural Universities and interacted with farmers who use innovative methods.

The Prime Minister stressed that whenever farmers and agriculture get a safety net, their growth becomes rapid. In this context, he informed that 11 crores Soil Health Cards were issued for the protection of the land.

The Prime Minister listed the farmer-friendly initiatives of the Government such as campaigns to complete about 100 pending irrigation projects for providing water security to the farmers, providing new varieties of seeds to farmers to protect crops from diseases thus getting a higher yield.

He added that along with increasing the MSP, the procurement process was also improved so that more and more farmers can get the benefit.

The Prime Minister informed that more than 430 lakh metric tonnes of wheat had been procured in the Rabi season and farmers had been paid more than 85 thousand crore rupees.

Wheat procurement centres were increased more than three times during the pandemic, he added.

Recently, more than 2 crore farmers have been given Kisan Credit Cards, the Prime Minister said.

He said efforts are being made to take the farmer out of the crop-based income system and encourage them for value-addition and other farming options.

The Prime Minister stressed the need to further develop millets and other grains with solutions from science and research.

He said that the purpose is that they can be grown in different parts of the country according to the local needs. He asked people to be prepared to use the opportunities provided by the UN declaring the coming year as the Year of the Millet.

According to Modi, along with our ancient farming traditions, marching towards the future is equally important.

He said modern technology and new farming tools are at the core of future farming. “Efforts to promote modern agricultural machines and equipment are showing results today,” he added.