Kalam advocates farmers' cooperative

Former President A P J Abdul Kalam today suggested a host of measures including setting up of farmers' cooperative, availability of quality seeds and fertilisers to increase food production and mitigate the distress of farmers in the country.
"The problem is small and fragmented land due to family structure. The solution is farmers' cooperative," Kalam said at the 5th Convocation of the Birsa Agriculture University here.
He said mechanised farming, value addition, marketing of agro products, crop growth, soil suited fertilisers, proper irrigation, cold storage, multi-cropping and food processing infrastructure would mitigate the distress of farmers and improve food productivity.

He also laid stress on use of new technology, skill training and setting up of agri-clinic in every block.
The former president advised the graduates and post graduates to make effort to contribute to rural development and tribal development.