Dr Jitendra calls for rapid adoption of agri-tech to boost India's GDP
Addressing the 96th Annual General Meeting of the ICAR Society here he underscored that every technology available globally is now accessible within India. 'It is no longer about whether technology is available — it is about how fast we adopt it and integrate it into our agricultural ecosystem to add value to our economy,' he said, as per the Ministry's statement here.
The Minister stressed the importance of breaking mental and institutional silos, noting that many in the agriculture value chain are not just unaware of new technologies, but also unaware that they are unaware.
'Technology in agriculture has progressed rapidly under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership over the past 11 years. Yet, its full potential remains untapped at the ground level,' he added.
Pointing to success stories like the Lavender Revolution in Jammu and Kashmir, where over 3,500 startups have emerged around lavender cultivation, Dr. Singh emphasized how new-age farming—using satellite imaging, remote-controlled tractors, and order-based crop production—is reshaping the agricultural narrative, said the statement.
'From lavender in Bhaderwah to off-season tulips grown for temple offerings, we have examples where science and strategy have combined to generate both income and innovation,' he noted at the event attended by among others, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, scientists and officials from ICAR and associated ministries.
Singh highlighted that biotech-driven advances, such as pest-resistant cotton developed through Department of Biotechnology initiatives and radiation-based food preservation techniques by the Department of Atomic Energy, are redefining how produce is grown, stored, and exported.
'Our mangoes now fly to the US, thanks to these technologies. And yet, many states have not come forward to fully exploit these tools,' he observed.
'Our biggest challenge isn't lack of technology. It's the lack of connectedness between those who develop it and those who need it. That is the bridge we must now build,' he added. UNI AJ SSP
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