New Delhi, September 12 (HS): President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the first global symposium on farmers’ rights on Tuesday at the National Agricultural Science Centre campus in New Delhi. Eminent scientists and farmers from 59 countries participated in the programme.
On this occasion, the President said that the world’s farming community is the true guardian of crop diversity. Farmers have extraordinary power and responsibility in this direction. She appreciated the efforts of farmers to protect and revive many varieties of plants and species.
The President said that India is a country of immense diversity. Even though its area is only 2.4 percent of the world, 7 to 8 percent of the world’s biological species are here. India’s rich agro-biodiversity has been a treasure to the global community. She said that our farmers have conserved local varieties of plants through hard work and entrepreneurship. Made wild plants domestically useful and nurtured traditional varieties.
The President said that due to agricultural research and technological development, India has been able to increase the production of food grains, horticulture, fisheries, milk, and eggs manifold since 1950–51. This has obvious implications for national food and nutrition security. He highlighted that the efforts of agro-biodiversity conservators and hardworking farmers, scientists, and policymakers, coupled with government support, have played a vital role in driving several agricultural revolutions in the country. She expressed confidence that technology and science will continue to serve as effective preservers and enhancers of heritage knowledge.
Hindusthan Samachar/ Indrani Sarkar
