Kapil Sibal Calls for Infusion of Modern Technology in Agriculture to Face Global Challenges

Shri Kapil Sibal, the Minister for Science & Technology and Ocean Development, has called for application of modern technologies in Agriculture to meet the challenges of globalization. He also called for more investment in the use of Information Technology in agriculture sector, biotechnology and agro-based industries as well as upgraded technology for monsoon prediction to meet the emerging challenges. He said that India and China have best emerging market in world. Both the countries should work together for the safeguard of Agriculture Economy. The Minister was inaugurating a three-day India-China Conference on 'Agriculture - Tradition, modern technology and globalization' here today.

Referring to recently concluded G-20 WTO Alliance Ministerial meeting where discussions were centered around 'agriculture and subsidy', the Minister said that G-20 has sought for a freeze on 'trade distorting and price depressing subsidies', amounting to one billion dollar a day, by the developed countries whose impact is borne by the weaker and disadvantaged sections of the population in the G-20 countries. He said the developed nations want India and China to reduce their trade barriers so that they can exploit the market of both the countries. 'No double standard should be allowed in Agriculture Economy' he further added.

Emphasizing the need for improved capacity of farmers Shri Sibal said that both the countries have huge potential to give greater boom to agriculture.

Prof. Chang Quing, Counselor, Science and Technology, Embassy of the People, Republic of China, emphasized for more cooperation in the field of agriculture between the two countries.

While presenting his keynote address, Prof. Amiya Bagchi, Director, Institute of Development Studies, Kolkata, has said both the countries have everything to gain by cooperating rather than competing in the fields of trade, technology, education, health care etc. He hoped that the conference will throw up many suggestions regarding specific areas of cooperation between India and China.

The Three day Conference is being attended by a 14 member delegation from China and experts from various Indian Institutions viz. ICAR, IARI, IIM, IIFT, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, various universities including National Institute of Science, Technology and Development Studies (NISTADS), New Delhi.

The Conference will discuss issues like Agriculture and impact of globalization, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and its impact on agriculture, preservation of biodiversity, subsidized agriculture, shift to cash crops, plants and intellectual property rights in India and China.

The three day conference is being jointly organised by the National Institute of Science, Technology and Development Studies, New Delhi, India and Centre of Rural Development policy, Chinese Agriculture University, Beijing, China.

Source : Ministry of Science & Technology
Date : March 23, 2005