Kisan centres to sell products developed by farm scientists
NEW DELHI: Chemicals and Fertilisers Ministry will enter into an agreement with the Agriculture ministry to market products developed by agri-scientists of government’s research institutes ICAR and IARI, Union Minister Ananth Kumar said today.
The ministry is setting up more than 2,000 centres, Kisan Suvidha Kendra, across the country where seeds, fertilisers, pesticides and soil testing facilities would be made available for farmers, he said.
“We are ready to sign an memorandum of understanding (MoU) for commercialisation and marketing of products developed by scientists,” Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Ananth Kumar said while addressing a national symposium on Agrochemicals Research and Education in India’.
“We will keep your products in Kisan Suvidha Kendra,” he told scientists.
Kumar said his ministry is also ready to sponsor research programmes related to agro-chemicals.
The minister stressed on the need to promote bio-pesticides and said that its usage should be increased from 3 per cent to 30 per cent.
He said the neem-coated urea falls in the category of bio-pesticides.
Highlighting the benefits of neem-coated urea, Kumar said this has helped in curbing diversion of urea up to 20 per cent which is worth Rs 12,000 crore.
“100 per cent neem coating of urea has led to reduction in consumption and higher yield,” the minister said and stressed on balanced use of fertilisers.
Besides neem-coating, Kumar said the government has cut prices of phosphatic and potassic fertilisers that has helped in balanced fertilisation.
SOURCE: ECONOMIC TIMES