India surpasses China in rice production, now world’s first: Chouhan at GBPUAT
PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Pantnagar
The Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that India has surpassed China in rice production to become the world’s first. “India now produces approximately 377 million tons of food grains and our granaries are full,” he added.
He declared this while addressing the two-day alumni meet organised at Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology here on Friday. He stated that the wheat production is also in surplus, and the demand for Indian wheat and basmati rice is steadily increasing worldwide. The chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also addressed the programme, while the cabinet minister Ganesh Joshi was present.
Lauding the university as a glorious centre in the history of Indian agriculture, Chouhan said that Pantnagar was the sacred land of the Green Revolution. “It has been giving a new direction to agriculture and rural economy by providing the country with scientists, policy makers, agricultural entrepreneurs and excellent human resources. It is a confluence of tradition, modernity, and research,” he said.
He also spoke of the serious challenges facing agriculture such as climate change. “Problems like rising temperatures, falling groundwater levels, changing weather, deteriorating soil health and the indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers can only be addressed through scientific research and innovation. True that the country has set new records in production, but the role of agricultural scientists and universities will be crucial in finding solutions to the future challenges like the adverse effects of climate changes on agriculture,” he commented.
Referring to his interaction with the GBPUAT students, he said that as the Union Agriculture Minister, it is crucial for him to remain connected to the ground. “I feel lucky having interacted with the students and experts here. I have interacted not just with students but with the future of Indian agriculture. I am sure that the students who receive education here will bring glory to India both nationally and internationally,” he noted.
Chouhan further said that all international agreements related to agricultural products had been made with the highest priority given to farmers and national interest. “This is the Prime Minister’s vision,” he said, adding that the vision of a developed India would only be realised when agriculture develops and farmers prosper.
Giving a message of environmental protection, he said that he plants a tree every day. “If it is not possible to plan a sapling daily we should plant it on our birthdays, in the least, for environmental protection is the greatest need of the hour,” he observed.
In his address, the chief minister emphasised the need to conserve traditional crops and promote the production of fruits and various agricultural products. He also called for the formation of a committee of the university alumni and experts to provide concrete suggestions to address problems related to agricultural production so that they can be seriously considered. “The role of university alumni is crucial in building a developed Uttarakhand. They should actively contribute to agriculture, research, innovation, startups and youth mentorship, linking their knowledge, experience and expertise to the state’s development,” Dhami added.
