The Hon’ble Prime Minister addresses the 3rd Global Potato Conclave - 2020 through Video Conferencing
28th January, 2020, Gandhinagar, Gujarat
The Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the 3rd Global Potato Conclave - 2020 through the Video Conferencing today. Shri Modi briefed about the Potato Conference, Agri-Expo and Potato Field Day being organized at the same time during the occasion. He also highlighted about the participation by around 6,000 farmers in the field visits arranged during the Field Day Programme.
Shri Modi accentuated on the enhancement of area under potato cultivation in Gujarat by about 170% as compared to the rest of the country that is around 20% in the last 11 Years. He said that the various policy initiatives by the state, use of modern and advanced technologies, best cold storage facilities and the availability of best potato processing industries have attracted the exporters towards the state. This, in turn, has made the state a major exporter of the crop both at the national and international level.
The Prime Minister emphasized on the Government of India’s various initiatives for doubling the farmers’ income by the Year - 2022. He highlighted that the combination of farmers’ efforts and government policies have made the country to be ranked among the top 3 countries in the world in the production of many cereals and other food items. He stressed on reducing the layers between the farmers and the government departments as one of the main policies of the Central Government.
Shri Modi accentuated that the Government is committed to promote the agricultural technology-based Start-Ups. He also urged the scientists for provide solutions to the various issues in agriculture through the Modern Bio-Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Block Chain, Drone Technology, etc. He stressed that the main responsibility of the scientific community and policy makers should be to contribute towards eradicating the hunger and malnutrition from the society.
Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare highlighted the pivotal role played by the ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla in the development of new and improved varieties of potato. The Minister also emphasized on the journey of the potato crop from Andes Mountains of South America to be one of the favorite dishes in the homes of Indians. Shri Tomar stressed on making the agricultural and farming economy stronger to deal with the economic and financial challenges more effectively. He regarded the conclave to be a perfect occasion to prepare an effective roadmap for efficiently meeting the various challenges being posed in the field of potato cultivation and production.
The Chief Guest, Shri Vijay Rupani, Chief Minister, Government of Gujarat highlighted about the tremendous production and processing of potato crop in a short span of time the state.
Shri Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Framers’ Welfare applauded the scientists, researchers, concerned Institutions and farmers for their efforts in the development of new improved varieties of potato crop. The Minister accentuated that the conclave would provide new roadmap for the researchers and farmers to enhance the production of potato crop in the country.
In his welcome address, Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR) briefed about the conclave. Dr. Mohapatra also outlined about the new developments of potato crop cultivation that have helped in enhancing the farmers’ income.
The ICAR Publications - “Phal Phool” and “Indian Horticulture” especially dedicated to the Potato crop were released on the occasion. The farmers and business persons involved in the production of potato crops were also felicitated during the occasion.
The various national and international agricultural scientists, senior officials of ICAR and Government of India, farmers and students from the different Agricultural Universities participated in the event.
Background:
The ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla; Indian Potato Association (IPA) and International Potato Centre, Lima, Peru jointly organized the 3rd Global Potato Conclave - 2020 at Gandhinagar, Gujarat from 28th to 30th January, 2020. Being organized two times in the Years - 1999 and 2008 in the capital city - Delhi, the 3rd Conclave has been organized in the other state. The conclave would provide a single platform to all the stakeholders to deliberate and prepare a new roadmap for dealing with the various challenges being faced in the cultivation and production of the crop.
The 3 major components of the conclave are: Potato Conference, The Agri-Expo and Potato Field Day.
(Source: ICAR-Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture, New Delhi)
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