HYDERABAD: Stating that 43.3 percent of national revenue is going for payment of interests, Union minister for urban development M Venkaiah Naidu said there is a need to increase wealth in the country. Technology alone could do that, he added.
Speaking at the presentation of MS Swaminathan Award to scientist G Sunder Goswami, senior scientist and former director of the National Academy of Agricultural Research, here on Sunday, Venkaiah Naidu said, “Scientists are the need of the hour as they come up with technologies to ensure better life to the common man. However, we should ensure that the new technologies reach the farmers and help them double the wealth.”
“It is only the agricultural farmers who commit suicides, and not dairy or poultry farmers. This is due to lack of proper facilities and remunerative prices,” he added.
“Farmers need to be educated as they are still used to unconventional methods of cultivation. Hence, there is a need for agricultural scientists to educate them,” he suggested.
MS Swaminathan Award, given once in every two years, is the country’s highest citation for contributions in the field of agriculture, animal sciences and fisheries.
The award was sponsored by Retired ICAR Employees Association and Nuziveedu Seeds and carries a gold medal and cash prize of Rs 2 Lakh.
AP agriculture minister Prathipati Pulla Rao said agriculture should be made more profitable.