ICAR must develop linkages with farmers and industry: Pawar

New Delhi, July 16 (UNI) Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today called upon agricultural scientists to develop linkages of research with the farmer and industry.

Addressing agricultural scientists at the ICAR Foundation Day function, the Minister said agricultural research has to be geared to address multifarious challenges. Availability of quality seeds, fertiliser and pesticides is of paramount importance.

The impact of climate change on agriculture is a major area of concern and therefore, serious attention has to be given to management of natural resources such as water and land. In several major crops, the yield has been stagnating for the last few years, resulting in a lag between the growth in population and the growth in food production. Per capita food availability has shown a declining trend raising concerns about food security.

These challenges will have to be addressed and concerted efforts made on various fronts so as to achieve 4 per cent growth in agriculture in the XI Plan, the Minister said.

Earlier, the Foundation Day lecture was delivered by Prof Yash Pal, Chancellor, Jawaharlal Nehru University.

Stressing on collaboration of researchers with the farmer, Prof Pal said ''the scientists and technologists of ICAR can begin to consider millions of farmers in the country as research collaborators. The whole country can become a laboratory with the world's largest collection of collaborators and innovators.' Minister of State for Agriculture Kanti Lal Bhuria expressed the hope that India's Agricultural Scientists will soon find solutions to the problems of the farmers.

Fifty-four awards under 12 categories were also given away to six institutions, 41 scientists, six farmers and one woman journalist on the occasion.

UNI