Need to double farmers’ income: ICAR chief

Dharwad: After reaching the desired goal in food production, the major issue before the Indian agriculture sector is doubling the income of the farmers, said Dr Trilochan Mohapatra, director general, Indian Council of Agriculture Research.
“For this to achieve, the government has been consulting state governments to promote integrated farming,” he said, delivering the convocation address at University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) here on Monday.
He added that Karnataka can take the lead in integrating all agriculture universities. “This would enable farmers to take up integrated agriculture (agri, horticulture, fisheries and dairy) and enhance their income,” he said.
He said that climate change, soil degradation and change in rainfall pattern have hindered the growth of the agriculture sector. “As per experts’ report, 12 nutrients are missing in the soil. Water is another major issue which will emerge as a biggest problem if not tackled early,” he warned.
Mohapatra said that only 30% of rainfall that the country receives is utilized for agriculture and drinking. “The government has embarked upon a mega rainwater harvesting scheme which envisages rainwater harvest units in every hobli level,” he said.
Stored rainwater can be used during off-season to raise crops and take care of livestock, he said.
UAS vice-chancellor Mahadev Chetti welcomed the gathering. Minister for agriculture N H Shivashankar Reddy who is also the university’s pro-chancellor, presided over the convocation and presented gold medals, prizes and certificates to students. In the governor’s absence, Reddy declared the convocation open.
At the convocation, a total of 1,029 candidates received their degrees. As many as 43 gold medals and nine cash certificates were presented on the occasion.