Oilseed production needs attention

Former vice chancellor of University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, J V Goud expressed regret over the farmers not attaching much importance to the cultivation of oilseeds in the country.

Speaking after inaugurating the annual research workers' group meeting of sunflower and castor at UAS, he pointed out that India had to import oilseeds worth Rs 13,000 crore in 1983-84 to meet the domestic demand. Goud called on agriculture scientists to devise ways and means to attract farmers towards oilseeds' production.

He said this could be done by offering support price and also fixing the area for the oilseed cultivation based on demand and supply as is done in foreign countries.

ICAR assistant director general O P Dubey had said that it will be possible to raise oilseed productivity 37 per cent with proper crop management techniques.

At present India produces five million tonnes of oilseeds. He wanted the scientists to develop new breed to further raise production and make India self-sufficient in oilseeds.

Project director at oilseed research directorate, Hyderabad D M Hegde pointed out that most of the area under oilseed cultivation was rainfed and productivity was low.

He said that under these circumstances the crop was prone to several problems. Hegde said there is a need to set a target 60 million tonnes for oilseed production in order to supply 17 kg edible oil per capita.

UAS vice chancellor sought more funds from Oilseed Research Directorate for the Krishi Vijnana Kendras at the districts to effectively transfer the technology to farmers.

Vice chancellor of University of Agricultural Sciences Patil stressed the need to adopt biotechnology in agriculture to solve the problem of shortage.

Speaking at the annual day function of the department of biotechnology and microbiology in Karnatak University, he said that the physical sciences dominated the scene for a long time and it is the turn of biotechnology.

He called for a joint venture between Karnatak University and UAS in research and development and offered all help from his side. Dr S A Patil felicitated KU V-C M Khaja Peer whose term is coming to an end. Khaja Peer called upon the student to develop competitive skills in order to come up in life.