In his key note address, Dr Kumar insisted that rain-fed agriculture had a very important role in our country's economy, as it is practiced in 60% of the crop area and accounts for 45% of the total agriculture produce. He further pointed out that despite many new technologies being developed, rain-fed regions were still not able to increase the yield. "Efforts are required to identify diversified and integrated farming systems and to ensure that they are effectively linked with watershed development projects," he added.
Pointing out that climate change was emerging as a major challenge to agriculture, Dr Kumar said, "ICAR is actively implementing the national initiative on climate resilient agriculture scheme and has set up a national institute of Abiotic Stress Management at Baramati." Read the full report here.
Source: Times News Network, Akola.
