“Setting up of farmer cooperatives is the road ahead in agriculture” - A P J Abdul Kalam

Former President A P J Abdul Kalam recently suggested a host of measures including setting up of farmer cooperatives, availability of quality seeds and fertilisers to increase food production and mitigate the distress of farmers in the country.

“The problem is small and fragmented land due to family structure. The solution is farmers’ cooperative,” Kalam said at the 5th Convocation of the Birsa Agriculture University in Ranchi.

He said mechanised farming, value addition, marketing of agro products, crop growth, soil suited fertilisers, proper irrigation, cold storage, multi-cropping and food processing infrastructure would mitigate the distress of farmers and improve food productivity. He also laid stress on use of new technology, skill training and setting up of agri-clinic in every block.

According to PTI, the former president advised the graduates and post graduates to make effort to contribute to rural development and tribal development.

Addressing the 5th Convocation of the Birsa Agriculture University here, the Chief Minister of Jharkhand Raghubar Das announced that ‘soil cards’ would be given to farmers in the next five years to help enhance their produce. He called upon the students to ensure “smiles on the faces of farmers” irrespective of where they go to further their careers.

“Soil testing is starting from May 28 in all the five divisions of the state. I would like the Birsa Agriculture University to name the soil card as ‘Kiran’. They will be distributed to the farmers in the next five years,” Das said. Information like use of fertiliser, requirement of irrigation and suitable cultivable crops will be mentioned in the ‘soil cards’.

Stating that agriculture output in the state could not grow to the expectations because of uneven land and lack of adequate irrigation facilities, he said the sector was the priority area and the BAU has an important role in its development.

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