Farming is a calling: Prez at
launch of CII Agro Tech India 2018
National tele24 News
Vinay Kumar
Chandigarh
“Farming is central to Indian identity and is more than a profession,” said
President Ram Nath Kovind, as he inaugurated the 13th CII Agro
Tech India 2018, a premier Agri and Food Technology Fair, at the Parade Ground in
Chandigarh on Saturday. Referring the event as a celebration of agriculture,
Shri Kovind also congratulated CII for organizing the event successfully. Apart
from the Hon’ble President of India, the inaugural function was attended by
Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare,
Government of India; Smt Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Minister for Food Processing
Industries, Government of India; Shri V P Singh Badnore, Governor, Punjab and
Administrator, UT Chandigarh; Shri Satyadeo Narain Arya, Governor,
Haryana; Shri Manohar Lal Khattar, Chief Minister, Government of Haryana; Mr
Rakesh Bharti Mittal, President, CII and Vice Chairman, Bharti Enterprises; Mr
Ajay S Shriram, Chairman, CII Agro Tech India 2018 and Chairman & Senior
MD, DCM Shriram Ltd; Mr Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII; and Mr
Sachit Jain, Chairman, CII Northern Region and Vice Chairman & MD, Vardhman
Special Steels Ltd. While mentioning that the presence of 158 domestic
exhibitors and 37 international exhibitors depicts the importance of the event,
Hon’ble President identified three key challenges being faced by the
sector. “Indian agriculture is still at an early stage of technology
adoption; farmers have limited access to mechanized equipment, let alone
cutting-edge tools. We need private public partnerships to come up. Investments
are required in Research and Development”, he pointed out. He also referred to
the problem of disposal of crop residue. In his address, Mr Rakesh Bharti Mittal, President, CII said, “As our
farmers have met the goal of food security, farming should now be seen as a
wealth creation tool. Today’s new age farmer is an entrepreneur and CII is
doing a lot to contribute to the cause of doubling the farmers’ income.
We have recommended to the government that states be ranked on an index called
‘Ease of Doing Agriculture’ on the lines of the Ease of Doing Business.” Mr
Mittal also called for reforms in long-term leasing of land, incentivizing
farmers who adopt technology and how to synergise farmers and government’s
efforts to ultimately benefiting the consumer at the other end. Union Minister
for Food Processing Industries, Smt Harsimrat Kaur Badal said, “The time is now ripe for food processing to ensure food
for more people in the world and in our country. According to my own Ministry’s
study, around Rs1 lakh crore worth of agri-produce is wasted for lack of
processing. My Ministry had launched KISAN SAMPADA YOJANA as the prime seven
umbrella scheme.” She informed the gathering of a
new scheme that the ministry is partnering with the World Bank to create a food
processing revolution. “Rs 3,000 crore will be used to fund farmers for
projects up to Rs 10 lakh each,” she added. The ministry, she added, was also
creating a new funding mechanism to finance food processing projects. Recounting the achievements of the government, Union
Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Radha Mohan Singh said, “We
have doubled the investment in the sector to around Rs 450 crore per year from
Rs 200 crore previously. We have also created corpus funds.” Welcoming
the dignitaries, Mr Ajay S Shriram, chairman and senior managing director, DCM
Shriram Ltd, and chairman, CII Agro Tech India, 2018, said, “Since its
inception in 1994, CII Agro Tech has brought together agribusiness communities
from all around the world. The CII Agro Tech India 2018 focuses on leveraging
innovation and technology for sustainable development of agriculture and
doubling farmers’ income. Spread over 16,000 sq m of space, 14 states and eight
countries are participating in the agri technology fair.” The CII Agro Tech India 2018 is fully aligned with the
government’s vision of doubling the farmers’ income. “ The idea is to understand what is required from farmers
to double their income in the medium term. Over 50,000 farmers are expected to
visit us during the event,” he added. Thanking all the dignitaries present, Mr SACHIT JAIN, Chairman, CII,
Northern Region said, “Application of technology with linkages to market is the
key to sustainable agriculture. CII is working on a pilot project to tackle
stubble burning in Punjab. We will take it forward in the times to come and
fulfill the dreams of Hon’ble President.”
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