Jaipur: Terming the genetically modified crops as the "next revolution" in farming, a panel of experts on Thursday batted strongly for employing modern techniques and methods to boost farm productivity.
Discussing the importance of technology in agriculture sector at a panel discussion, one of the panelist Swapan Datta said that the biotechnology can improve biodiversity and help in improving farm productivity as well.
"There is no relation between biotechnology and loss of biodiversity rather biodiversity means enhancing crops by adding genes to make it more productive," Datta, deputy director general, Crop Science, Indian Council of Agriculture Research, said.
"Science and technology can be used to develop value added genetically engineered or modified crops and that crops can support our environment, farmers' need and country's aspirations," he said.
Datta also said that there is no scientific reason to ban BT brinjal.
"Because of public perception and since it is the first food crop, the environment ministry has put a moratorium on its release," he said.
Another panelist SL Kothari, professor of Department of Botany, University of Rajasthan, highlighted the aspects of genetically modified crops and said it would be the "next revolution".
Kothari laid emphasis on increase in farm productivity so that farmers can get more benefit from his crops. Several practical suggestions to increase agriculture growth were also given during the interaction.
The discussion, stressing on the need for improved plant varieties, revolved around the need to employ advanced technology for production, importance of developing varieties that can stand the stressful impacts of diseases, climate driven events like droughts and floods and temperature fluctuations.
It was organised by IndoAsiancommodities.com, a website devoted to in-depth analysis and opinions on commodities, metals and farm technology.
H Ramachandran, the website head, said that 'Technology as Driver of Growth: Ensuring Farm Prosperity' was the first of a series of panel discussion on the importance of farm technology in the country.
Comments
0 comment