India focusing on inclusive & higher agri growth-PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) at Patancheru in Hyderabad on Saturday. On the occasion, he inaugurated ICRISAT's Climate Change Research Facility on Plant Protection and Rapid Generation Advancement Facility. He also launched a commemorative stamp issued on the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the ICRISAT. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said, ICRISAT has experience of five decades of helping other nations in making agriculture easy and sustainable. Modi said, he is hopeful that the Institute will continue to deliver its expertise to strengthen India's agriculture sector. Referring to 15 Agro-Climatic Zones and 6 seasons of the country, the Prime Minister highlighted the depth of ancient experience of Indian agriculture. He pointed out that India’s focus is on the fusion of ‘back to basic’ and ‘march to future’ to protect its farmers from climate challenge.  “Our focus is on our more than 80 per cent farmers who are small and  needs us the most”, the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister said, India has set a target of Net-Zero by 2070. It has also highlighted the need for life-lifestyle for the environment and also called for a Pro Planet People movement - a movement that is crucial to combat climate change and connects every individual with climate.  Modi said, to save farmers in the country from climate challenge, the government's focus is on the fusion of both back to basics and March to future. He said, the Union Budget 2022-23 is focused on natural farming and digital agriculture.The Prime Minister informed that in the next few years, they want to take area usage in the palm oil sector to 6.5 lakh hectares. Modi assured that the government is focusing on food security as well as nutrition security. He said, several bio-fortified varieties have been developed in the last 7 years.