Ease transfer of technology to farmers, says former VC

Vijay C Roy

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 5

More than 50,000 dedicated agricultural scientists are working to address field-level problems and to evolve technological solutions in the country. However, all technologies developed by these scientists don’t reach all farmers. Transfer of technologies from research institutions to the doorstep of farmers is important to increase efficacy. This was stated by Dr Manjit Singh Kang, former Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University.

Kang was addressing the 11th Progressive Farmers’ Meet with focus on Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) here today. The meet was organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Mehram Publications.

He added that the role of agricultural institutes was of paramount importance in improving the efficacy of farmers. Highlighting uncertainty looming over agricultural growth, especially in view of climate change, water crisis and technology fatigue, he said besides certain policy intervention by the Centre and state government, agricultural institutes have to play a proactive role for transforming peasantry community by facilitating easy technology transfer.

He added, “The extension services provided by the agricultural university to the farmers should give real-time information on weather and market trends. Similarly, it should alert the farmers in case of pest attacks or any crop disease.”