By IANS,
Agartala: Agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan Wednesday called for an “evergreen” revolution in agriculture increasing the production by three times and ensuring food security for all Indians.
“The revolution must result in doubling or tripling of productivity and not merely an annual single-digit increase. Integrating environmental concerns, farmers and producers, the planners must optimally utilise scientific and technological advancements in agriculture,” he said.
Addressing a workshop on ‘Agricultural development – challenges and prospect’ here, Swaminathan said: “To achieve the ‘evergreen’ revolution, we have to strive for continuous advancement in production and productivity, but without associated ecological and environmental harm.”
In the “evergreen” revolution, protection of soil health, water quality, use of appropriate technology and marketing conditions must be a package, he said.
According to him, in the US and European countries a very small number of people were associated with agriculture, but in India over 60 percent people (of the total population) were involved in farming.
“In India agriculture generates income, provides employment and produces resources,” said the 86-year-old scientist.
He said that the country needed food for 1.21 billion people.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and agricultural scientists from various parts of the country also spoke at the workshop.