Prime Minister calls for improving credit system

New Delhi, May 27 : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today stressed the need for improving credit delivery system for farmers and removal of bureaucratic hurdles coming in the way of revitalising the agriculture sector to achieve the second green revolution.

Outlining a seven-point strategy to attain the second green revolution, he said that the benefits of research must reach farmers for improving yield and enhancing production.

Delivering the valedictory address at the International Conference on Agriculture for Food, Nutritional Security and Rural Growth, Dr Singh suggested to improve soil health, water conservation, application of science to animal husbandry and improvement in farm management practices to enhance productivity.

The Prime Minister asked for a sharper focus on strategic research in plant technology for further development in the farm sector.

Dr Singh called upon the scientists to jointly work with government and non-government organisations, local bodies and corporates enabling the farmers to benefit out of technological and scientific advancement in the field.

New investments and new enterpreneurship are needed in the agriculture sector to achieve the goals, he said and added that revolution in information technology has made it easier to take knowledge to its user.

The Prime Minister further said that greater public-private partnership was required to help revitalise the public institutions and programmes.

Dr Singh also said that to prevent the leakages, the delivery mechanisms in the farm sector has to be improved.

Acknowledging the contributions of B P Pal and Prof M S Swaminathan, the Prime Minister said that such scientists had laid the foundations of the country's first green revolution.

On afforestation, the Prime Minister said there was a need for increased application of science and modern technology in forest conservation and management, environmental protection, water conservation and utilisation of herbs and plants.

Dr Singh that it was the responsibility of the Government, of non-government organisations, of farmers' organisations and the suppliers of such knowledge-based services to create such a market in rural areas.

He also stressed the need for a harmonious blend of advanced and appropriate science and technology and local knowledge to ensure an equitable distribution of the benefits of new knowledge.

The Prime Minister emphasised the need to ensure nutritional security of all people, particularly children and women and to address the challenge to ensure that the benefits of food security translated into nutritional security of the poorest of the poor.

Dr Singh pointed out to another challenge to work collectively to plug the loopholes, which have in the past affected the viability and effectiveness of many development programmes.

The Prime Minister presented the B P Pal Centenary Award to Prof M S Swaminathan to commemorate the B P Pal Centenary celebrations.

He also released a book co-authored by Prof M S Swaminathan and Dr K L Chadha titled ''Environment and Agriculture'' on the occasion.

Mr Kapil Sibal, Union Minister for Science&Technology and Ocean Development, Prof M S Swaminathan, Chairman, M S Swaminathan Research Foundation, Dr R K Pachauri, Director-General, TERI, Dr A Ramachandran, Chairman, Governing Council, TERI, Ms Vibha Dhawan, Vice-Chancellor, TERI School of Advanced Studies and Dr K L Chadha were among those present on the occasion.

UNI