Dr. Radha Singh
Former Secretary
Dept. of Agriculture & Co-operation,
Ministry of Agriculture,
Government of India, New Delhi.
ASustaining this demanding growth
rate year upon year will require
the agriculture sector to adopt
production enhancing technologies such
as bio-tech, precision farming, micro irrigation,
fertigation and diversified use
of its dry lands including dairy, livestock
and fisheries, says Dr. Radha Singh,
Former Secretary, Department of Agriculture
& Co-operation, Ministry of Agriculture,
Government of India, New
Delhi in dialogue with ET Polymers.
Q. What stage do you think is the “Agri-Revolution” in?
Hi-tech agriculture revolution is
well poised for take-off at an extensive
scale all across the country with diversified
agriculture growing in terms of
horticulture produce, area coverage,
volume and value. With one of the
most advanced and extensive agricultural
research systems in the world –
the potential for enhancing production,
productivity, quality, cost effectiveness
and competitiveness of Indian agriculture
is immense. Coupled with private
/ corporate sector investment and
government’s increasing thrust on improving
the policy environment, the
sector is on the threshold of a big boom,
having already clocked a robust growth
rate of 6% during year 2005 – 06. Sustaining
this demanding growth rate
year upon year will require the agriculture
sector to adopt production enhancing
technologies such as bio-tech,
precision farming, micro-irrigation,
fertigation and diversified use of its dry
lands including dairy, livestock and
fisheries. Integrated farming systems
capable of providing assured year
round income to the farmers needs to
be a necessary adjunct to the aforesaid
approach, so that the growth is matched
with equity.
Q. What role do you think new technologies,
techniques and materials and
would play in the next 5 years as far as
agriculture is concerned?
Adoption of newer technologies is
the key for sustaining higher growth
rates in the agricultural sector. Many
developments are unfolding in production
technology, use of which requires
a significant degree of professionalism,
extension support and commercialization.
In the areas of crops, use of molecular
marker assisted breeding, functional
genomic and re-combinent DNA
technology are un-common opportunities
for overcoming problems of biotic
and abiotic stresses. Besides, bio-technology
application in agriculture, high
density plantation, protected cultivation,
integrated nutrient management, organic
farming, use of plastics, micro irrigation,
fertigation, automation,
....contd.
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