Use Sc and Tech to develop agriculture, infrastructure: Minister

Bangalore, Mar 26 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Planning M V Rajashekharan today called for intelligently adopting developments in the field of Science and Technology for increasing agricultural production, besides improving infrastructure facilities in the country.

Speaking after inaugurating a three-day National Seminar on ''Science, Technology and Society'' here, he said that at present the technology used by the farmers of the country were most outdated. ''Science and Technology should be developed in such a way that it benefits small and marginal farmers and improves overall production of the agricultural products. No doubt we are reasonably self-sufficient in food production, but there is an urgent need to improve it further to meet the growing demand,'' he added.

Stating that Science and Technology had a greater role to play in building infrastructure, Mr Rajashekharan said the country needed to gear itself up on all fronts in this globalised era and infrastructure played a vital role in attracting investments.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Bhalachandra Mungekar, Chairman, Governing Body Council, Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla, said developed countries should not interfere with the internal affairs of the developing countries. ''Scientists and technocrats of the developing countries should unitedly fight the ill designs of developed countries,'' he added.

National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) Director K Kasturirangan said the country was poised for growth, but was facing several hurdles.

UNI MSP RG PG RN1957