Usher in second green revolution: Kalam

Thursday, 23 December 2004, 20:30 IST
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HIMACHAL PRADESH: President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has urged the scientific community and farm students to usher in a second green revolution in India. Kalam was addressing the CSK H.P. Agricultural University, Palampur, some 250 km from the state capital Shimla, Wednesday. "India has traversed a glorious path of agricultural development from ship to mouth regime at the time of partition to self-sufficiency on the food front. Now the country is even exporting food grains. This has been possible with the vision of political leadership, hard-working farmers and scientists," he said. While detailing the tips for a new green revolution, he advised that "soil characterization, water management, quality seed, value addition and timely marketing of farm produce can usher in the second green revolution." Speaking on the subject of 'Hill Agriculture for prosperous Himachal Pradesh', he said "varied agro-climatic conditions should be properly utilized by planting unique fruit trees, making farm produce cost effective, strict quality control and timely marketing." "Besides carrying out research and extension activities, the agriculture universities should also educate farmers about new technologies in agriculture. Processing and marketing should also be taught in universities," he said. "Every year three million students stop education after graduation and seven million students do not study after matriculation or plus two and these 10 million people look for employment," he said. "The educational institutions should develop in them a spirit of entrepreneurship and competitiveness so that they are able to take risks in life." Interacting with young students he said, "You should dream and make sincere efforts to realize the dreams." Kalam also administered an oath to the students to shun corruption, teach 10 illiterates, help five addicts in de-addiction, plant ten useful plants, excel in their respective fields and rejoice in the success of country and countrymen. While talking about his favourite Vision 2020 to make India a developed nation, he discussed the importance of IT, biotechnology, nenoscience and telemedicine and its utility in helping the rural poor. Earlier, the president visited an exhibition installed by the four colleges of the university and planted a tree (magnolia grandiflora). In the evening the president flew to Shimla where he is to stay at the Retreat, the summer home of the president and the prime minister. Later in the evening he will visit a village some 20 km from here. The governor will host a dinner for him. After addressing state legislatures Thursday he is scheduled to fly back to New Delhi.
Source: IANS
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