Renowned geneticist and father of green revolution Dr M S Swaminathan today advised Karnataka chief minister H D Kumaraswamy to strengthen the horticulture sector to improve the farmers' financial condition.
Swaminathan was here on the invitation of the chief minister who sought his guidance to improve the financial condition of farmers.
A government release said during the meeting at the Vidhan Soudha, the state secretariat, Swaminathan emphasised on increasing the income of farmers and productivity in the agriculture field.
He said farmers should focus on growing high-value crops.
While lauding Karnataka for being the first state in the country to have a separate directorate for horticulture, the geneticist stressed upon conservation of soil, water and bio-diversity.
In this regard, he advised him to adopt the Israel model of water management to increase productivity.
More From This Section
The geneticist asked the chief minister to make maximum use of the coastal area, which has ample scope for sea farming.
He stressed the need for setting up agro processing and agro industries in the State.
Kumaraswamy assured him that his suggestions would be followed while bringing reforms in the agriculture sector, the release said.
The chief minister said he would soon convene a meeting with all district level officers of agriculture and allied departments to identify the loopholes in the present system and set them right.
Agriculture minister N H Shivashankara Reddy, Horticulture minister M C Managooli, Animal Husbandry minister Venkatarao Nadagouda, chief secretary T M Vijayabhaskar and other senior officials were present at the meeting.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
