Training Programme For Scientists
C. Ramasamy, Vice-Chancellor of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, has stressed the importance of using mobile sprinkler irrigation for increasing the yield of pulses and oilseeds. At the inauguration of the 21-day training programme for scientists on ‘Recent advances in the production and utilisation of pulses and oilseed crops,’ he urged the government to offer the users subsidy for the spread of the technology.
“The increase in per capita income and the country’s economic transformation have caused a marked shift in domestic dietary patterns, which include an increase in consumption of pulses and oilseeds. This warrants maintaining four per cent annual growth in production for meeting the future demand,” he said. A paradigm shift in research and development and large-scale adoption of sprinklers would help to enhance production, he said. He also emphasised the importance of post-harvest operations and value addition.
S. Natarajan, Director, Centre for Soil and Crop Management Studies, said the Central and State governments were keen on improving the production of pulses and oilseeds. The National Food Security Mission, with a budget of Rs. 25,000 crore for research and development in pulses, wheat and rice, was launched by the Centre.
