Cuttack: Paddy production in eastern India has gone up by around 20 per cent and per-acre harvest of paddy in the region has risen by 10 to 35 per cent during the second Green Revolution launched by the central government in 2010.
A review meeting held at Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI) at Bidyadharpur here Thursday discussed such facts and figures about the impact of the second Green Revolution in eastern India. Union minister of state (MoS) for agriculture Mohanbhai Kalyanjibhai Kundariya presided over the meeting.
CRRI sources said the central government had made the institute the nodal agency for successful implementation of the second green revolution in eastern states such as Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Assam.
“Our experts had imparted training on modern techniques in paddy cultivation to farmers of eastern states. The farmers were also equipped with cutting-edge technology,” said CRRI director Amaresh Kumar Nayak at the review meet.
CRRI scientists had advised paddy cultivators of eastern India to use high-yielding varieties of seeds, advanced machinery, and the required amounts of fertiliser and pesticide to raise their farm output. “Our scientists had also demonstrated to farmers more scientific methods for the transplantation of paddy saplings. The farmers were also provided with advanced technology for proper storage of their produce,” added Nayak.
Kundriya highlighted the initiatives introduced by the Centre for the development of agricultural and allied sectors. “Now, farmers are being provided with soil cards to know the fertility of their land and to choose fertilisers accordingly. Insurance coverage has also been extended to farmers to compensate for crop damages,” said Kundariya.
According to the agriculture minister, the Central government has adopted a holistic approach for development of the farm sector. “Our ministry has laid emphasis on creating proper infrastructure for agriculture like irrigation, storage and marketing facilities. Farmers are being encouraged to cultivate more oil seeds and pulses,” added Kundariya. PNN
