There is an urgent need to transform agri-food systems into sustainable enterprises through scientific innovations in view of the increasing demand for food, widespread environmental degradation, and challenges posed by climate change, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Parshottam Rupala said in Kochi on Tuesday. He was speaking after inaugurating the four-day 16th Agricultural Science Congress (ASC) and Expo at the Le Meridien in Kochi on Tuesday.
Pokkali farming
Mr. Rupala highlighted the need to promote traditional farm products such as pokkali rice (that is popular in Kerala), so that more farmers take to it. Minimising post-harvest losses is equivalent to boosting production, and can be achieved by focusing on advanced technological interventions. He further called upon agricultural scientists to infuse greater mechanisation into the production process and to develop and popularise specialised farm implements for women.
