Raipur, May 15 (PTI) Chhattisgarh Governor Ramen Deka on Friday urged scientists to develop technologies to help make farming economical and profitable amid challenges posed by changing weather and market fluctuations.
Addressing the 11th convocation ceremony of Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV) in Raipur, Deka said agriculture graduates would play a crucial role in helping India achieve its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047, a government statement said.
He said that students trained in agriculture can contribute significantly to the country’s progress by taking modern agricultural research, technology and innovation to rural areas.
India currently produces nearly 1,000 million tonnes of food annually, including cereals, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits, milk, meat and fish, he said, stressing that production must increase to 1,500 million tonnes by 2047.
The governor further noted that climate change and fluctuations in agricultural markets have increased risks in farming.
He urged scientists to focus on technologies that make farming more economical and profitable for farmers.
Deka also stressed the need to promote natural farming and increase the production of pulses and oilseeds.
“Retaining people in agriculture has become a major challenge today. Making farming easier and increasing farmers’ income should be our primary objective,” he said.
Highlighting rapid technological changes in agriculture, Deka said the sector is increasingly driven by science, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Artificial intelligence, drones, satellite mapping, precision farming, climate-resilient technologies, biotechnology and data analytics are being widely adopted, he said.
India too has been moving rapidly in this direction, he said, citing the use of drones for spraying fertilisers and pesticides, digital tools for soil health monitoring, and mobile phone applications for farmer advisory services as key developments transforming the rural economy.
Describing Chhattisgarh as the “rice bowl” of India, Deka said the state should also focus on producing high-quality rice varieties such as ‘basmati’, which could attract easier procurement by corporate companies and ensure better returns for farmers.
He also pointed to the future potential of hydroponics and natural farming.
The governor said nearly 80 per cent of Chhattisgarh’s economy is dependent on agriculture and noted that shrinking landholdings make it essential to maximise production from limited land.
He said that the state’s land and water structure are favourable for agriculture and that farming can become more profitable with the right technology and approach.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, who was the chief guest at the event, said the state government has been continuously working to make agriculture modern, profitable and sustainable while keeping farmers’ welfare as the top priority.
The government has been promoting the cultivation of pulses, oilseeds, fruits, vegetables and millets alongside paddy, Sai said.
He highlighted schemes such as procurement of paddy at Rs 3,100 per quintal, expansion of irrigation projects, availability of agricultural equipment and free electricity for farmers as measures that strengthen the rural economy.
The chief minister also urged students to connect farming with drones, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies and act as a bridge between farmers and scientists.
Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam, noted scientist Ashok Kumar Singh, and university Vice-Chancellor Dr Girish Chandel were present at the ceremony.
During the convocation, degrees and medals were awarded to students who graduated in the academic year 2024-25. A total of 13 gold, seven silver and two bronze medals were awarded to meritorious students across various faculties, while 128 scholars received PhD degrees, 518 students received postgraduate degrees and 1,234 students were awarded undergraduate degrees. PTI TKP ARU
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