Hyderabad: “Sustainable agriculture is vital to ensure food security for future generations. The eco-friendly agriculture will also address key issues like environmental degradation and rural poverty,” said Governor Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan.
Participating as the chief guest at the Nobel Laureate Lecture Series organized by the Institution of Green Engineers (IGEN), Chennai, through online mode from the Raj Bhavan, here, on Tuesday, the Governor said that ensuring food security for a rapidly growing population is a major concern for a country like India with 130 crore population.
She said that India has only 2.4 percent of the world’s landmass, while it has 16 percent of the world’s population. This makes a big challenge to produce more agricultural output without resorting to environmental degradation.
Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan pointed out that maintaining soil fertility, judicious use of water, natural farming methods, use of eco-friendly agricultural technology and inputs are vital for the sustainable agriculture and had called for the technology and tradition collaboration for better farming methods.
Governor emphasized that developing sustainable agriculture food systems were necessary for the survival and sustainability of the human population on the planet and added that sustainable agricultural practices are a must for the same.
Referring to the Rs One Lakh crore package to the agriculture sector under the Atma Nirbhar Bharath initiative, the Governor stated that this would promote greater productivity and sustainability in agriculture and other allied sectors while improving the livelihoods.
She exhorted the farmers to utilize the schemes and services under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) and avoid overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and prevent the loss of soil fertility.
The Governor stated that our country has immense potential to improve its productivity in vegetables and fruits production and stressed on the importance of food processing units.
Noble Laureate Sir Richard John Roberts emphasized the role of science in addressing the various problems was greatly realized during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He stated that it was high time that many politicians realize and promote science and research in science to mitigate the problems of the world. Anna university former vice-chancellor Prof. RM Vasagam, Institution of Green Engineers president Dr. L. Ramesh, APJ Abdul Kalam International Foundation trustee APJ MJ Sheik Dawood and others spoke during the webinar.
SOURCE (NSS)
