Expressing concern over the deaths of several farmers in Yavatmal allegedly due to pesticide poisoning, Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao today urged researchers to develop genetically-modified seeds that can withstand pest attack.
Rao also made an appeal to researchers to do farmer-centric research so that cultivators benefit from it.
The issue of farmers suffering from exposure to pesticides began in July this year, but its gravity deepened after several farmers lost their lives, mainly in Yavatmal district. The government had formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the farmers' deaths.
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"The researchers should develop genetically-modified seeds that can withstand pest attack," Rao said.
The governor was speaking at the launch of the new building of Shri Vasantrao Naik Agriculture Biotechnology College here.
"The governments at the Centre and in the state are giving priority to the agriculture sector so that by 2022 farmers in the country would be able to double their income," he said.
Rao said farmers should be encouraged to go for integrated farming, for which it is necessary to revive the available water resources.
Maharashtra agriculture minister Pandurang Phundkar, minister of state for revenue Sanjay Rathod and others were present on the occasion.
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