Union Minister Jitendra Singh urges rapid adoption of agri-tech

New Delhi [India], July 8 (ANI): Union Miniter of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh on Monday called for a paradigm hift in the agriculture ector by embracing cutting-edge technology and fotering greater ynergy among takeholder.
He aid thi while addreing the 96th Annual General Meeting of the Indian Council of Agricultural Reearch (ICAR) Society at the NASC Complex in the national capital.
Speaking at the high-profile event chaired by Union Agriculture Miniter Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Dr Singh undercored that every technology available globally i now acceible within India.
It i no longer about whether technology i available--it i about how fat we adopt it and integrate it into our agricultural ecoytem to add value to our economy, he aid.
The Miniter treed the importance of breaking mental and intitutional ilo, noting that many in the agriculture value chain are not jut unaware of new technologie but alo unaware that they are unaware.
Technology in agriculture ha progreed rapidly under Prime Miniter Narendra Modi leaderhip over the pat 11 year. Yet, it full potential remain untapped at the ground level, he added.
Pointing to ucce torie like the Lavender Revolution in Jammu and Kahmir, where over 3,500 tartup have emerged around lavender cultivation, Dr Singh emphaized how new-age farming--uing atellite imaging, remote-controlled tractor, and order-baed crop production--i rehaping the agricultural narrative.
From lavender in Bhaderwah to off-eaon tulip grown for temple offering, we have example where cience and trategy have combined to generate both income and innovation, he noted.
He alo highlighted that biotech-driven advance, uch a pet-reitant cotton developed through Department of Biotechnology initiative and radiation-baed food preervation technique by the Department of Atomic Energy, are redefining how produce i grown, tored, and exported.
Our mangoe now fly to the US thank to thee technologie. And yet, many tate have not come forward to fully exploit thee tool, he oberved.
In an earnet appeal to tate agriculture miniter and intitutional takeholder, Dr Singh propoed more frequent and informal cro-miniterial interaction to enure real-time exchange of innovation.
We hould not wait for annual meeting alone. Let create working group and reach out when olution can be hared, pontaneouly and practically, he urged.
Referring to the Marine Agriculture initiative in coatal tate and the cultivation of mangoe in Manipur or apple in Andhra Pradeh, the Miniter cited thee a non-traditional yet highly viable venture that how how India agri-map i being redrawn through cience.
The meeting, attended by key Union and tate miniter, cientit, and official from ICAR and aociated minitrie, alo aw the releae of key ICAR publication and preentation on annual report and financial.
Our bigget challenge int lack of technology. It the lack of connectedne between thoe who develop it and thoe who need it. That i the bridge we mut now build, he concluded.
The AGM ended with a vote of thank and a renewed commitment to harneing India cientific edge for agricultural reilience and economic growth. (ANI)