Increase foodgrains production: Expert

Hyderabad, Sep 15 (UNI) The Andhra Pradesh-Netherlands Biotechnology Programme Chairman M V Rao today underlined the need for concerted efforts to increase foodgrains production to meet the needs of the country.

Delivering the fourth K T Achaya Memorial Lecture on 'Food and Nutrition Secure India- Challenges before Us' at Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) here, the former Special Director General ICAR said it was estimated that India required 246 million tonnes of foodgrains by the end of 2010 as against the present 200 million tonnes.

Similarly, the country need 340 million tonnes of foodgrains by 2020.

Under production would compel India to import 35 million tonnes of foodgrains by 2010, he added.

Urging to increase the production of pulses to cross the 15 million tonne mark, he said now it was only 14.9 million tonnes. He also called upon the farmers to increase the oil seed production from 26 million tonnes.

Asking the scientists to concentrate more on research to increase the foodgrain production and to ensure its reach to the farmers Mr Rao said they should be sensitised to adopt the technologies.

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