SPEECH OF HONOURABLE GOVERNOR PUNJAB AND ADMINISTRATOR, UT CHANDIGARH, SHRI BANWARI LAL PUROHIT ON THE OCCASION OF SAMRIDHI 2.0 CONCLAVE AT INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY IIT ROPAR, RUPNAGAR, PUNJAB ON DECEMBER 2, 2023 AT 10.45 AM
- PRB
- 2023-12-02 15:30
I am glad to be at the Samridhi Conclave 2.0, hosted by the IIT Ropar’s – Technology and Innovation Foundation.
I extend my sincere appreciation for creating a platform that encourages dialogue & collaboration and also propels us into unexplored realms where technology and agriculture converge.
Friends,
Agriculture in India is much more than just a profession. It is a calling, a tradition and a way of life. Agriculture has been central to Indian identity for thousands of years, ever since our ancestors planted grains in the Indus Valley.
Even today, agriculture employs a large percent of our work force and contributes about 17 to 18% to the country’s GDP. It is the backbone of our economy.
Our State, Punjab, is a region of hardworking farmers and enormous agricultural legacies and achievements.
The selfless efforts of our farmers have contributed to national development and security and to the well being of our people.
Initiatives such as the Green Revolution – which was carried out with such determination in Punjab have helped convert a country of chronic food shortages and imports to a food surplus economy.
This was possible due to visionary policy makers, ingenious agricultural scientists – and off course the farmers who gave their sweat and toil.
Our farmers, have proven to be remarkably adaptable – unafraid of innovation, new techniques and scientific inputs.
They do not shy away from embracing risk and converting risk into opportunity.
The challenge now is to scale up. Indian agriculture needs a renewal of its marriage with contemporary technology, protection against climate change, price fluctuations and demand shocks.
Friends,
We have seen Green Revolution in the Sixties but it is time now to move towards an Evergreen Revolution, recognising the positive role that technology can play as powerful catalyst for sustainable agricultural development.
No doubt that despite the large population, today India has transformed from a food stressed country to a food-exporting country. But, today agriculture is facing many concerns like increasing population, shrinking agricultural land, falling groundwater level, decreasing soil fertility, climate change etc. for which it is the responsibility of agricultural professionals and techies like you to assist in finding solutions.
In my capacity as the Governor of Punjab, a state that echoes with the spirit of resilience, hard work, prosperity and innovation, I am particularly enthused to witness the convergence of brilliant minds for coming up with groundbreaking technology-ideas in a domain that is not merely integral but pivotal to our nation’s progress that is, agriculture and introducing Agritech Revolution in the State and beyond.
The climate change challenge has put an onus on conservation of our traditional farmers’ varieties including those of millets which are not only endowed with inherent tolerance to various stresses on our ecosystem, but also hold within themselves the nutritional profile, that could be the key in providing a solution to the food and health requirements of a large proportion of human and livestock population. The declaration of the year 2023 as the Year of Millets by the United Nations is a step in this direction.
Let us strive for More Crop per Drop. Let us have more value out of every unit and every drop of water.
Water is an important component of agriculture which is available in limited quantity. Therefore, it is extremely important to use water sparingly.
In those places where there is shortage of water, such crops should be selected which consume less water.
There should be maximum use of technology in irrigation so that exploitation of water resources can be minimized. The role of institutions like IITs is important in the development and dissemination of such technology.
According to the Economic Survey of India 2022- 23, the agriculture sector has achieve a remarkable growth rate of 4.6% over the past six years.
This has been accompanied by the emergence of over 1000 agri-tech start-ups in the sector. We all are proud of our Agriculture Fleet and its time to promote start-ups to evolve agriculture.
It’s time for a new era in agriculture, one where technology and tradition come together to secure our food security, preserve our rich farming heritage, and ensure the prosperity of our farming communities.
In alignment with नये भारत का नारा ‘’जय जवान, जय किसान, जय विज्ञान, जय अनुसंधान’’ by our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, it is time to bring technological interventions to our traditional sector to modernise it, cater to modern day agricultural challenges, drive sustainability, and address global food security.
Allow me to share a profound and thought-provoking quote by Swami Vivekananda, a beacon of wisdom and inspiration. He said, "Arise, awake, and stop not until the goal is reached." Today, as we stand on the cusp of a technological and agricultural revolution, let these words be our rallying cry.
Let us arise with a renewed commitment to innovation, to empowering our rural communities, and to sculpting a Punjab that not only leads the nation but sets a global standard for sustainable and inclusive growth.
I urge each one of you to leverage the abundant resources available through IIT Ropar and SAMRIDHI Program, for transforming your innovative ideas into tangible realities that leave an indelible mark on the landscape of Punjab and beyond.
Friends,
The farmers of this region are a matter of pride for our country. Progressive farmers of Punjab have never shied away from a challenge and a responsibility to larger society. Today we are facing a problem related to disposal of crop residue and of safe and clean removal of husk or stubble.
In an extreme form, the burning of such items leads to pollution that affects even little children. It is for all of us, including the state governments, the skilled and large hearted farmers, and other stakeholders, to come up with a solution. I have no doubt that technology will help us find a solution.
May this Conclave be more than just a meeting of minds; may it be a powerful catalyst that propels us towards a future where technology and agriculture coexist harmoniously, and every farmer's toil translates into prosperity for our great state.
I am looking forward to witness the transformative impact of your endeavours.
All the Best!
Thank you,
Jai Hind.