By IANS,
New Delhi: A growing economy like India needs a four percent growth in agriculture, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia Monday said.
“It would require more investment in knowledge management, institutional support and diversification in agriculture. Government is also willing to fund such projects,” Ahluwalia said while speaking at a meeting of vice chancellors of agricultural universities here.
He asked the universities to adopt innovative approach to strengthen agricultural research and education in the country.
“Agricultural universities can play an important role in this direction by providing research based projects with the help of industry,” he said.
Appreciating the role played by the National Agricultural Research System in India, Ahluwalia urged the scientists working in agricultural research institutes to re-orient themselves in the 12th Five Year Plan amid the challenges of food security and climate change.
Referring to the gap in agricultural growth rate and land productivity of China and India, he emphasized on the need for more research on these two issues.
Ahluwalia also suggested a new mechanism to fund research projects instead of funding universities.