Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Arjun Munda today said that ecological balance and sustainable health of the soil will also be taken care of in the scientific efforts related to the second green revolution in the country. Efforts will be made to increase agricultural production and productivity with minimal interference from water, forests, land and natural life systems, he added.

Munda was expressing his views while inaugurating the three-day Agrotech Kisan Mela organized at Birsa Agricultural University (BAU), Ranchi on Saturday. He said that there is great strength in the Indian way of life and Indian soil. “With this strength and awareness to preserve the nutrients available in the soil, everyone will have to work for the next agricultural revolution. We got the benefits of the first Green Revolution but we could not keep in mind how much damage was caused to the soil due to excessive use of chemical fertilizers and whether we were able to preserve the soil in its natural form for the coming generations or not. While our stomach is getting filled, diseases are also coming,” he added.

“The whole world is affected by global warming and climate change, but we all have to see what we can do in our respective areas to deal with it. Nutrient-rich millets were a part of our ancient traditions, festivals and worship methods; we were forgetting them, but by presenting the concept of International Year of Millets, the Prime Minister gave a message to the whole world to save and increase these crops,” said the Minister.

Munda also said that to give full respect to Jharkhand, the Prime Minister started the Vikas Bharat Sankalp Yatra from the birthplace of Birsa Bhagwan and Ulihatu and a scheme of Rs 24000 crore for the conservation of 75 primitive tribes of the Country living in forests, mountains and plateaus. “Justice campaign was started from Jharkhand. There will be no let up for agricultural development in Eastern India and Jharkhand. Soil health cards should be made for all 32 thousand villages of Jharkhand, in which Birsa Agricultural University has to play a leading role,” he added.

On the occasion the Minister also honored five progressive farmers – Sangeeta Devi, Bokaro, Shivnath Kushwaha, Garhwa, Manager Hansda, Pakur, Merita Hembram, Sahibganj and Ravi Kumar Mahato, Ranchi for innovative agriculture.

Ranchi MP Sanjay Seth said that Prime Minister, Narendra Modi did a great job of giving the first President from the tribal community in the form of Draupadi Murmu and the first Agriculture Minister in the form of Arjun Munda. “There is a large area of vegetable and fruit production within 40 km radius of BAU from where the products are exported to neighboring states as well as Mumbai and Karnataka. The potential here in the field of horticulture should be properly utilized,” he added.

Director General of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Dr Himanshu Pathak said that Jharkhand can emerge as a big hub in the field of horticulture, animal production and fishery production, its products will be in demand not only in the country but also in foreign countries. “For this, along with economic cooperation, policy support is also required. In the next Green Revolution, full care will be taken to ensure that there are no adverse effects on soil and water level like Punjab-Haryana. All the research institutes of ICAR and all the agricultural universities of the Country have to work together with the concept of One ICAR,” he added.

Vice Chancellor of BAU, Dr Sunil Chandra Dubey welcomed the guests and highlighted the activities and achievements of the university.

Kanke MLA Samri Lal said that Kanke is a big agricultural producing area, hence many big cold storages should be opened here and the bacon factory of Asia Fame, which was closed in other countries, should be started soon.

 In the Agrotech Fair, various units of Birsa Agricultural University, institutes of ICR, seed and fertilizer manufacturers, government departments, banks and voluntary organizations have displayed their technology, products and services in 130 slots. Farmers from all 24 districts of the state are participating in good numbers in the event. Farmers also got solutions to their technical queries and problems related to farming in the agricultural consultation center established in the fair premises.