National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) Member and Agriculture Economist Ramesh Chand on Friday stated that natural farming should be encouraged to tackle climate change and to improve production quality.
In his convocation address during the fifth convocation of Dr. Y.S.R. Horticultural University here in West Godavari district, Prof. Ramesh Chand said that the scientists and students encourage and promote natural farming.
Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, who presided over the convocation, stated that horticultural crops would assume greater significance in the context of nutritional security.
Justice Adbul Nazeer said, “India is emerging as the food basket of the world. The production of horticultural crops has already surpassed agricultural production in India. The total horticulture production is 320 billion tonnes (2023).”
“In the agriculture sector, horticulture provides 14% employment, of which 42% are women in India,” he said.
Referring to Andhra Pradesh, Justice Abdul Nazeer has stated; “The State is emerging as one of the major horticulture hubs in the country. The State has registered a record growth in the production and research in horticulture, which spreads in 17.84 lakh hectares with an annual production of 312.34 lakh metric tonnes.”
He said that it is a celebrating moment that Dr.Y.S.R. Agricultural University was encouraging drone and robotic technologies in horticulture in the State.
Prof. Ramesh Chand and Governor S. Abdul Nazeer presented the Ph.D. Awards and gold medals to the scientists and students. University Vice-Chancellor T. Janakiram, Registrar B. Srinivas and professors were present.
