New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi released 109 high-yielding, climate-resilient, and biofortified varieties of crops at the India Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, on August 11, 2024.
The Prime Minister also interacted with farmers and scientists on the occasion. Discussing the importance of these new crop varieties, the Prime Minister stressed the significance of value addition in agriculture. The farmers mentioned that these new varieties will be highly beneficial as they will help reduce their expenditure and have a positive impact on the environment.
The Prime Minister discussed the importance of millets and highlighted how people are increasingly moving towards nutritious food. The farmers appreciated the government's efforts in promoting natural farming.
The Prime Minister suggested that Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) should proactively inform farmers about the benefits of the new varieties being developed each month to enhance awareness.
The 109 varieties of 61 crops released by the Prime Minister included 34 field crops and 27 horticultural crops. Among the field crops, seeds of various cereals, including millets, forage crops, oilseeds, pulses, sugarcane, cotton, fibre, and other potential crops, were released. Among the horticultural crops, different varieties of fruits, vegetable crops, plantation crops, tuber crops, spices, flowers, and medicinal crops were released.
Later, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan addressed the media, stating that August 11, 2024, is significant for farmers since the 109 varieties of 61 crops that have been released will help them produce more, earn more money, and spend less. Chouhan said that the seeds of these crops are climate-friendly and can yield good crops even in adverse weather. He also informed that these varieties are rich in nutrition. He noted that this program is the best example of a lab-to-land initiative.
Responding to inquiries from the media, Shivraj Singh Chouhan declared that within three years, farmers will receive seeds from all 109 varieties. Additionally, he said that imports of exotic mango varieties are not currently necessary because the domestic varieties are more productive, aesthetically pleasing, and possess superior keeping qualities, all of which can increase farmers' income. All of these types are suitable for natural farming, and research on this topic is ongoing.
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, proposed that on one day each month, experts from KVK, ICAR, and state agricultural universities should engage with farmers. The goal of this exchange should be to tackle a current issue related to agriculture and attempt to identify solutions through mutual learning.
Union Ministers of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Bhagirath Choudhary and Ram Nath Thakur, and DG ICAR & Secretary, DARE, Dr. Himanshu Pathak, graced the occasion along with 30 farmers from nearby states and all the DDGs and other officials of ICAR. /BI
