Kolkata, Feb 23 (FN Agency) The Central Government has decided to introduce 36 bio-fortified crops in the market soon to ensure micro-nutrients in the yield, a top official said on Wednesday. The government has also decided to reduce 25-30 percent usage of chemical fertilizers in cultivation, said Department of Agricultural Research & Education Secretary and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Director General Trilochan Mohapatra. To reduce the chemical foot-prints in agriculture sector, natural farming processes are being pushed up, said Mohapatra during an e-session on current development in the area of agricultural research in India organised by the Merchants Chamber If Commerce.
“To ensure micro-nutrient in the crops, 36 Bio-fortified crops will be introduced in market soon,” he said. During the Covid pandemic, unlike other sectors, the agriculture sector has grown tremendously, Mohopatra pointed out. There is a significant increase in total production in the sector from 2020 to 2021. “The total production was 310 million tons in 2020, it increased to 316 million tons in 2021. Agriculture sector significantly contributes 20 per cent in country’s GDP, that is very momentous achievement”. While speaking on the total trade figure, Mohapatra mentioned that during the last fiscal year, India has been able to export worth USD 41.8 billion food grains, though there are few food items which are still being imported (approx value is USD 22 billion), the sector is able to obtain USD 19 billion surplus in the trade. India is the leading exporter of the Basmati Rice and has exported 46.30 million tons worth USD 4.018 billion during 2020-21, he referred.
Mohapatra said, “GOI has decided to initiate Palm Oil Cultivation programme in the Northeast and other states like Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal”. He has requested the State Governments of these states to come up for this initiative. He said the new variant of Sugarcane seed Co 028, has brought about a revolution in the production of the crop. In Uttar Pradesh sugarcane production has increased from 60 ton to 80 ton per hector. There is high potential of sugarcane to produce bio-fuel to meet country’s renewable energy demand by 2025, he said. While mentioning the agenda of Prime Minister Narendra Modi- “One District One Crop”, Mohapatra said that they are working on doubling the Agricultural export of the country so that the agricultural sector can contribute significantly to the projected USD 5 trillion Indian Economy.