Pratibha Patil was delivering the convocation address at the 45th annual convocation of University of Agricultural Sciences in Bangalore.
“Take up agriculture as a profession. This would ensure in overall progress and well-being of the people.” This was president Pratibha Patil’s message to youngsters on Saturday.
Delivering the convocation address at the 45th annual convocation of University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Patil said students could change the way agriculture is practiced by working with farmers to understand their issues and funding innovative solutions.
“I would urge that some of you to take to agriculture as a profession. Instead of looking at what others are doing, take the initiative and leadership in doing something innovative and progressive. This will result in the overall progress and well-being of the people of the nation,” she said.
To ensure food security and to eliminate under-nutrition, Patil said the nation needs a second Green Revolution. “Though we are self-reliant in cereal production, we still depend on imported pulses and edible oils. We are also confronted with malnutrition and under-nutrition. Ensuring food security and elimination of hunger is a national responsibility. For this, there is a realisation that we now need a second Green Revolution,” she said.
To ensure that the country proceeds towards these goals, four issues need be addressed. First, the existing institutional support systems must be strengthened and gaps in the support system must be bridged. Second, dry land farming needs additional focus. Third, an integrated approach towards agriculture needs to be adopted and lastly, technology has to be used an effective tool in a wide array of agricultural operations, she added.
On Friday, Patil met government and corporate representatives to explore strategies for cooperation between the agriculture sector and industry. She said universities could be an interface to provide necessary knowledge inputs and support systems required to evolve successful models for public private partnership.
“Experience shows that the corporate sector is keen to join hands with farmers in commercial ventures for farm production and value addition through mutually beneficial agreements. Such innovative partnerships are expected to produce positive results for both farmers and industrial houses,” she said.
Enterprising farmers with large land holdings could negotiate viable business models for optimum farm size with industrial houses, she added.
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