Corporation Commissioner S. Aneesh Sekhar insisted on the need to make farming a profitable proposition and attractive for ‘the youth.
Speaking at the valedictory function of Agro Tech Exhibition conducted by Madurai District Tiny and Small Scale Industries Association here on Monday, he said that thanks to technological advancements, farmers of the present times had many facilities such as weather forecast, genetic engineering, geo-tagging of agricultural land for crop management. They could find out which type of seeds would give the maximum yield by tapping the right resources. Harmonisation of agriculture and technology would be the only way forward for a vast country like India.
Speaking about fast shrinking farm lands, Mr. Sekhar said that the State machinery, judiciary and the public must join hands to ensure that urbanisation and industrial development did not take place at the cost of loss of agricultural land. There should be a balance, and the means to maximise productivity and stretch profitability should be explored.
Urban farming and terrace gardening should be made mandatory in all households to achieve self sufficiency.
The exhibition had done a good job by promoting rooftop gardening and other useful ventures, he added.
About 30,000 people visited the exhibition in the four days, said exhibition chairman K. Rajendra Babu. Joint Convenor M. Jagan Mohan reiterated the importance of government agencies in organising the exhibition.
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Dean S. Suresh said he was happy to see many visitors buying saplings from their nursery. It showed the importance people attached to nurture greenery. At least 10,000 saplings would be made available at the next edition of the exhibition, he said.
MADITSSIAs president K. P. Murugan said that the first edition of the exhibition taught them many lessons which would be very helpful while organising the next edition.
