The contribution of scientists, students and researchers in the field of agriculture to benefit farmers in the country who are the “soldiers of the soil” has helped the sector grow by leaps and bounds, according to Sandeep Saxena, Agricultural Production Commissioner and Principal Secretary to Government, Agriculture Department, Chennai.
He was delivering the presidential address at the inaugural of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Agricultural College and Research Institute (ACRI) of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University here on Tuesday.
“With the support of the academic community, our farmers have been introduced to various technological advancements in the market. There has been an increase in the State budget allocation from Rs.2,000 crore to Rs.5,800 crore for agriculture, and I encourage students to take up research as there is no dearth of funds,” Mr. Saxena said.
Minister for Agriculture S.S. Krishnamoorthy said the three colleges for agriculture which had been proposed by the State government in Thanjavur, Pudukottai and Tiruvannamalai would give a fillip to the agriculture sector through academic research.
“With the Chief Minister encouraging a second green revolution of sorts, the sector is bound to grow and improve the lives of the farmers in the future,” he noted.
A special postal cover to signify the Golden Jubilee year of the institution was released by Postmaster General of Chennai Circle Mervin Alexander. A special logo for the celebrations was unveiled at the event by Mr. Krishnamoorthy.
A manual on seed production was also released at the event and was given to women entrepreneurs and self-help groups (SHGs) who wished to make a foray into seed production. Samples of the recently introduced ‘Amma Seeds’ were handed over to them.
Collector L. Subramanian, who spoke at the event, detailed the need to revive the growth of millets and traditional foods for a healthier living.
Minister for Cooperation Sellur K. Raju, Tamil Nadu Government special representative in New Delhi S.D.K. Jakkaiyan, Vice-Chancellor of Tamil University at Thanjavur M. Thirumalai, Vice-Chancellor of Madras University R. Thandavan and Dean-in-charge of Agricultural College C. Chinnusamy were present at the event.