The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated a two-day National Consultation on Making Agriculture Sustainable and Profitable at Vaikuntha Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management, Pune in Maharashtra.
- During the event, the Vice President said concerted, coordinated and focused action is required to double the farmer's income in the coming years.
- The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, former Union Minister for Agriculture, Shri Sharad Pawar, renowned Agricultural Scientist, Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, former Agriculture Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri Vadde Sobhanadreeswara Rao, Indian Agricultural Economist, Shri Ashok Gulati, several farm experts, farmers and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
The 4 Is
The Vice President emphasized that 4 Is:
- Irrigation
- Infrastructure
- Investment
- Insurance
Key takeaways from the Vice President's speech:
- He added that it was important to make agriculture sustainable through a judicious use of scarce resources like water, electricity and by avoiding indiscriminate use of fertilizers and pesticides.
- The Vice President also pointed out that populist programs like loan waivers and free power would not provide lasting solutions.
- He emphasized that farmers must be provided timely credit at affordable interest rates.
- He added that farmers have to be given the latest know-how and trained in the do-how to improve farm productivity.
- The Vice President said that along with increased production, we need efficient distribution of food grains. Only then can we move our country forward to achieve the goal of zero hunger and adequate nutrition for all.
- The Vice President wanted e-NAM implementation to be further streamlined and expedited.
- The Vice President said that Lab-to-Land transfer of technologies needs to be enhanced.
- Putting stress on the need to promote diversification of crops, he said that farmers should be encouraged to cultivate high-value crops like fruits, vegetables, condiments, pulses, spices and sugarcane.
- The Vice President said that it is important to encourage farmers to take up allied activities like poultry, dairy, fisheries and aquacultures to not only enhance farmers income but also to provide a cushion against the adverse impact of failed crop.
