Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that inventions and technologies should trigger progress and positive changes in society.
He was speaking after inaugurating three major projects such as an agri-biodiversity conservation project, Onathinoru Muram Pachakari programme and 23 crop varieties developed by Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) at Vellanikkara on Saturday.
“The varieties released today are of common crops of Kerala and I congratulate the KAU for this achievement. Among them is a pepper variety, Paaniyur 9, which is the latest in the famous Panniyur series. But where does pepper cultivation, once a traditional stronghold of Kerala, stand now? If Panniyur 9 promotes pepper cultivation and brings prosperity for the farmers, the effort of those who developed it would be rewarded and society will be benefited. If not, it will be meaningless,” the Chief Minister said.
The Chief Minister said the objectives of the new agri-biodiversity conservation project, which envisages protection and conservation of all indigenous rice varieties, were noble.
Tech development
Minister for Agriculture V.S. Sunil Kumar, in his presidential address, said that strengthening the cooperation between the KAU and Department of Agriculture is a priority agenda pursued in earnest. The KAU is a source of technology development, which should be complimented by the department by taking it forward to the target group. The government is committed to regaining agricultural glory of the State and no stone would be left unturned, he said.
Minister for Industries A.C. Moideen said the Industries Department is looking forward to all possibilities of developing agriculture-related business enterprises. Value addition and processing will be encouraged.
KAU Vice Chancellor R. Chandrababu promised technology backup for all programmes initiated by the government.
Chief Minister handed over the new varieties to Cheruvayal Raman, a traditional farmer from Wayanad. The farmers who won national awards for protection of varieties and scientists who developed new varieties were honoured at the function.
