Governor Ram Naik gave away the `Agriculture leadership award’ to 22 agri-scientists for their remarkable contribution in the field of research. The award instituted by India Agriculture and Food Council was distributed in Delhi on Friday.
The District Agriculture Award was given to DM of lakhimpur Kheri, Best Research Award was handed over to Indian Cane Research Institute, lucknow and the life-time Achievement Award was given to Ratan Tata but he could not attend the function as he was abroad.
The Governor said that he would himself go to Mumbai to deliver the award to Tata. Governor of Haryana KS Solanki, Deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha PJ Kurien and Chairman of IAFC Dr M Khan and Director General of IAFC Alok Sinha were present during the ceremony.
In his address, Naik said that India could achieve the status of a developed nation only with development and prosperity of the farmers. He said there is a popular perception that the farmers are illiterate but it’s far from truth.
The Governor said that with proper soil testing, farmers can decide the right crop to be sown. He said Pratapgarh in UP is known for the cultivation of Aonla and the produce from there is supplied to the entire nation. “Similarly Nasik in Maharashtra is known for the cultivation of onions,” he said.
Naik further said that India is placed at number two slot globally in fish production and there was an urgent need that fisheries were accorded the same priority as agriculture. He said special promotional schemes should be devised and implemented for promoting fisheries in the country.