Farmers Will Soon Get All Weather Maize Seed: Dr B.M Prasanna

Eminent agriculture scientist, Dr Boddupalli Maruthi Prasanna said that a new variety of Maize seed that can withstand in drought conditions as well as natural calamities will soon be able be available to farmers. He informed that the development of new seed is under advanced stage & they are planning to release it for farm experiments soon.

Dr Prasanna, who is the director of CIMMYT at International Maize & Wheat Improvement Centre, Mexico told that agri scientists have been focusing on making cultivation a money-making venture.

While addressing a national seminar at Bapatla Agriculture College, the agri scientist, who was an alumni of the college said that their focus has shifted from improving yields to making agriculture profitable after seeing agrarian crisis all over the world. He added that agriculture researchers must consider Norman Borlaug (pioneer of green revolution) as their inspiration to please the farmers.

Dr Prasanna said, “Any research should help the growers come out of the crisis. Students must keep in mind that purpose of their studies will be served only when the farmer is happy”. He further said that seeds should be developed keeping in mind the fast environmental changes. Dr Prasanna said that new varieties must be developed in such a way that they could survive in natural calamities & unknown viruses.

The seminar was conducted by Acharya NG Ranga Agriculture University & 1980-batch students of the institution as part of Bapatla Agriculture College platinum jubilee celebrations.

Dr D Purushottam, President of 1980-batch students’ association and Chief Commissioner of GST (Hyderabad) said that to encourage young talent, they have introduced a gold medal for the best outgoing woman student from Bapatla Agriculture College. He told that they were proud that around10 students of 1980-batch have become civil services officers serving different cadres & states across India. He added that 34 of their batch settled in senior positions in banking sector and 24 students were associated with agriculture research projects.

Dr Purushottam, who is a senior IRS officer, told that 19 of their batch were working with Icrisat & agriculture universities in Telugu states.