Scientists should remove gap between them and farmers: Singh

Agricultural researches will be of no uses if it is not applied in the farmers field and scientists should remove the gap between them and the farmers, former Union Minister Prahlad Singh Patel said today.

"A research paper is of no use if it is not applied in the farmers field. The ICAR scientist should remove the gap between them and the farmers and this could be achieved through awareness," Patel said.

He was addressing at a National Seminar on "Smart Farming for Enhancing Input Use efficiency, Income and Environmental Security" organised by the Indian Association of Hill Farming in collaboration with ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region here.
 

Patel who is a MP from Madhya Pradesh said that Hill farming (practiced in the north eastern states) is a challenge and the scientific technology should reach the farmers which is only possible if the scientist act as a median in the process.

Noting that the North East region is rich in bio- diversity and is in itself a hot spot for medicinal plants, the MP said, "The biodiversity of the region should be preserved and technology should be applied in the preservation process."

ICAR NER director Dr S V Ngachan reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision for the country which aims to double the farmers income by 2020 and said that the responsibility to achieve that target is entrusted to scientists.

Assam Agricultural University vice chancellor Dr K M Bujurbaruah said the country today have come a long way to achieve the status of a food secured nation from being a mal-nourished nation after Independence.

He, however, said that the country has a long way to go in achieving and becoming a food surplus nation.

At the seminar, over 300 participants from all over India took part in brainstorming sessions on agricultural diversification, processing and value addition along with entrepreneurship development and smart marketing linkages.

The seminar also provided a common platform for the scientists, researchers, policy makers entrepreneurs and other stake holders to explore the various aspects of emerging challenges in agriculture and allied sectors.