Hyderabad, April 19: Former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu urged the youth to concentrate on agriculture, emphasizing that it is the backbone of the nation. He highlighted the importance of this vital sector and stressed that research and scientific advancements should reach farmers in the fields rather than remain confined to laboratories.
Naidu made these remarks while presenting the M.S. Swaminathan Award at an event held on Saturday night. He raised concerns about environmental issues, warning against the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and underscoring the significance of soil conservation and the protection of nature and livestock.
He expressed his honor in awarding the prestigious award, named after the father of the Green Revolution, Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, to C.H. Srinivasa Rao, the Director and Vice-Chancellor of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), for his exceptional contributions to the agricultural sector.
Naidu praised Rao’s efforts in formulating essential national policies related to agriculture and climate change. He noted that the award recognizes Rao’s leadership in promoting natural farming practices and steering the country towards sustainable agriculture.
The distribution ceremony for the ninth Professor M.S. Swaminathan Award (2024-25) was jointly organized by the Retired ICAR Employees Association and Nuziveedu Seeds Limited at the Dr. Marri Channa Reddy Human Resource Development Institute.
Telangana’s Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageshwar Rao, Nuziveedu Seeds Limited Chairman Mandava Prabhakar Rao, and Retired ICAR Employees Association President Vidyasagar Rao were present at the event. Minister Nageshwar Rao expressed his delight at the awards being presented on the occasion of Professor M.S. Swaminathan’s birth centenary. He emphasized the need to enhance accessibility to scientific research for farmers and warned that neglecting soil health could reverse the benefits of the Green Revolution.
–
Leave a Comment