New Delhi: Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Monday that farmers must evolve beyond their traditional role as food producers to become providers of energy, fuel and hydrogen, as the government seeks to diversify rural incomes and reduce the country's dependence on imports.
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Speaking at the conclusion of a four-day national agriculture festival 'Unnat Krishi Mahotsav' in Raisen (Madhya Pradesh), Gadkari said agricultural residues, biomass, ethanol, compressed natural gas and hydrogen presented untapped income opportunities for India's farming community.
"Knowledge is the greatest power, and transforming this knowledge into wealth is the most pressing need of the agricultural sector today," Gadkari told hundreds of farmers gathered at the event.
The minister said artificial intelligence, satellite-based information systems, drones and nano urea were reshaping modern agriculture and urged farmers to embrace technology to drive down costs and boost productivity.
On water conservation' a critical issue for India's rain-dependent farming sector' Gadkari outlined a simple principle: slow fast-flowing water, stop slow-moving water and allow stagnant water to seep into the ground. "Just as money is deposited in a bank, water must be deposited into the ground," he said.
Gadkari also flagged the need for stronger post-harvest infrastructure, warning that surplus production without adequate cold storage, processing plants and value-addition facilities would depress farm prices. He identified dairy, fisheries and the blue economy as priority sectors for raising rural incomes.
Gadkari also welcomed a proposal to advance Raisen Ring Road and Eastern Bypass project, including preparation of a detailed project report, following a request from Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who organised the festival.
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Chouhan, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, said the mela represented a new chapter rather than a conclusion, and announced the formation of a task force to implement a farm-to-market strategy tailored to local soil, climate and water conditions.
"We will leave no stone unturned in transforming the image and destiny of our farmers," Chouhan said.
The agri mela, held in Raisen in Madhya Pradesh, featured demonstrations of polyhouses, greenhouses, hydroponic farming, drone technology and one-acre farming models aimed at exposing farmers to modern agricultural practices.
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