Modi Pushes for Technology-Driven Agriculture, Targets GM Crops and Increased Productivity

Strategic Insights -

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized the importance of technology-driven agriculture, including the use of genetically engineered crops such as pulses, to boost farmer earnings and meet increasing demand. Modi made the announcement while launching the Doordarshan Kisan channel, a new initiative aimed at providing farmers with key information on weather, market, and demand. The Prime Minister also called for increasing foodgrain productivity from 2 tonnes a hectare to 3 tonnes and implementing a three-pronged farm approach that balances farming, animal husbandry, and tree plantation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Modi has articulated the government's stand on GM crops for the first time, pushing for research and higher productivity to boost farm earnings.
  • The Prime Minister aims to increase foodgrain productivity from 2 tonnes a hectare to 3 tonnes, bringing it in line with the global average.
  • A three-pronged farm approach that balances farming, animal husbandry, and tree plantation is being proposed to ensure food security for India's rising population.
  • The Doordarshan Kisan channel will provide farmers with key information on weather, market, and demand to drive farm income.
  • Modi has suggested planting trees instead of fences along fields, which will help meet expenses for a girl's marriage and also reduce timber imports.
  • The Prime Minister has set a target of resolving India's reliance on imported pulses by 2022 through research and genetic engineering.

Statistics:

  • India currently imports pulses, with Modi setting a target of no longer relying on imports by 2022.
  • The country's average farm productivity is 2 tonnes per hectare, compared to the global average of 3 tonnes.
  • India imports timber, with Modi suggesting planting trees along fields to reduce reliance on imports.
  • Modi has called for increasing the protein content in pulses to benefit farmers receive good prices.

Sources:

  • Hindustan Times, article titled "PM Modi pushes for technology-driven agriculture, GM crops to boost farm earnings" (No publication date mentioned)