State-wide Krishi Mahotsav was launched at the 7th National Seed Congress here on Thursday. On the occasion, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan urged scientists to develop seeds whose yields were not affected by climatic change and that may resist adverse conditions too.
The Chief Minister said that fast-ripening seeds needed to be developed. Production had increased; however there was much scope to increase per hectare yield. Side by side attention should also be paid to preservation of traditional varieties like kodo-kutki, raga, basmati, sharbati wheat etc. He also called for research on increasing organic farm production.
Chouhan said that food grains production had increased in the State. Madhya Pradesh has registered unprecedented agriculture growth rate. This was due to State Government’s relentless efforts to make agriculture profitable. Area under irrigation was increased in the state, farmers were provided interest-free loans, new methods of farming were taught and crop cycle change was undertaken for this. He said that still production can be increased 20 percent through seed transplantation. Yield of flowers-fruit, medicinal plants and spices can be increased.
Presiding over the session, Agriculture Minister Gaurishankar Bisen said that seed is very important for agriculture revolution. Production of high-yield seeds can be increased. He said agriculture growth rate in MP had increased for consecutive third year. Production of maize has increased through hybrid seeds in tribal areas of the state.
Chief Secretary Anthony DeSa said that agriculture production in the State has doubled in last 10 years. Six per cent population of the country lived in the State whereas Madhya Pradesh produces 12 per cent food grains of the country. State is on top in production of pulses and oilseeds and at second place in wheat production. Madhya Pradesh tops in production of certified seeds producing 52 lakh tonnes out of 350 lakh tonnes certified seeds in the country.
The Chief Minister released a souvenir on the occasion. At the outset, welcome address was delivered by Principal Secretary Agriculture Rajesh Rajaura. State Seeds Development Corporation’s MD RK Gupta threw light on programme’s outlines. Former Chairman of State Seeds Development Corporation Madhukar Harne, Union Government’s Additional Agriculture Secretary Avinash Shrivastava, State’s Agriculture Production Commissioner RK Sawai, Director of Central Seed Research and Training Centre RK Trivedi, agriculture scientists, progressive farmers and students of Agriculture University were present on the occasion.