According to KT Rama Rao, Telangana's IT and Industries Minister, there is a pressing need to study China and Israel's agricultural methods to double farmers' revenue.
The IT Minister expressed his views on Thursday at the Cabinet Sub-committee on Agriculture meeting at Sri Konda Lakshman Telangana State Horticulture University in Mulugu, Siddipet district.
He said that only China had doubled their farmer's income by adapting innovative methods, while Israel was also known around the world for modern agriculture practices. Agriculture Minister Singireddy Niranjan Reddy was in charge of the meeting.
Because 60 to 65 percent of India's population still relies on agriculture and its allied industries, Rama Rao stated that the government must work to raise their income, which would eventually fuel the state's growth. Rao claims that modern agricultural methods make a big impact, claiming that in 1987, China and India's GDP were the same.
However, he stated that China's GDP had reached 16 trillion, while India's GDP was now at 3 trillion. The IT Minister has accused the union government of neglecting the farming sector, claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi campaigned on a promise to double farmers' income, but that he has made no real steps in that direction during the previous eight years.
Rao stated that the Green, White, Blue, Pink and Yellow revolutions must be successful in Telangana to boost farmer income.
He also suggested that rice fields in Telangana be transformed into fish ponds to raise farmer revenue. Concerned that few young people are interested in agriculture and related industries, he stated that if new technology is used, many more will come forward to seek careers in agriculture. He went on to say that youngsters should be encouraged to seek a career in farming from an early age.
Rao stated that a new strategy must be developed by taking into account the views of both traditional and modern farmers, and that farmer training centers must be established on a vast 25-acre plot of land in each of the 32 districts to train farmers.
He went on to say that farmers in the area should be taught twice a year, with 10-day seminars on new technology and methods. The Minister has urged scientists to produce crops that can endure hailstorms and unexpected rainstorms, reducing crop losses for farmers.
When it comes to crop insurance, Rao believes that instead of the present Pasal Bheema, insurance should be based on crops as units.
Ministers Puvvada Ajay Kumar, Sabitha Indra Reddy, Ganugla Kamalakar, Vemula Prasanth Reddy, Koppula Eshwar, Medak Kotha Prabhakar Reddy, Rythu Bandhu, and MP Medak Kotha Prabhakar Reddy Samanya Others in attendance were Samithi Palla Rajeshwar Reddy, Principal Secretary Agriculture Raghunandan Rao, and others.
