Agriculture is profitable in India, there is need to change negative attitude towards the sector: Telangana CM

Date:09-03-2020

The government of Telangana has taken several measures to improve agriculture in the state. It includes innovative schemes, encouraging artificial intelligence and calling for a change in attitude towards agriculture.

Importance of Agriculture in Economic Development

The chief minister of Telangana K Chandrasekar Rao emphasized the importance of agriculture in India’s economic development. Further, he highlights that the negative attitude towards agriculture is not profitable, and that must be changed. Adding to that, he said that India must become self-reliant in agriculture. Also, he hopes that the sector rises to a stage where it can start exporting valuable Agri based- produce (food grains).

Further, he brought out the importance of agriculture by emphasizing that majority of the people were dependent on agriculture. Besides, it provides food and also supplies raw material to industries. The official statement that was released also mentioned that the CM called NABARD and the government to encourage the development of agri-based industries and agriculture.

Even if focusing on other sectors is essential, we must not forget the mainstay occupation of the country. And, Mr Rao points out that the Indian economy was able to withstand all trials and tribulations because it was an agricultural-based economy. Further, the release also mentioned that Mr Rao called for the promotion of food processing and mechanization in agricultural practices.

Central Government Hails Telangana’s Rythu Bandhu Scheme

The Union agricultural minister held a meeting with several chief ministers and agrarian ministers. In the forum, the Rythu Bandhu Scheme and the subsequent establishment of Rythu Bandhu Samidhies by the Telangana government received praise. Further, the state agriculture minister Niranjan Reddy said that they welcomed the Agricultural Fund Infrastructure Scheme. However, he suggested that interest-free loans will attract more investment to the sector and help farmers.

KLIS Changed the Face of Agriculture Sector in Telangana

The finance minister of the state, T Harish Rao, said that the KLIS (Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme) changed the face of Telangana agriculture. Further, he mentions that it increased the area under cultivation during the rainy season in comparison to the previous year. He also notes that the farmers will not have to spend money on irrigation by drilling bore wells this year. This is primarily due to good rains that have filled 3000 water bodies around the state. And, also due to Godavari water provided by the government to the fields.

Telangana Incorporating AI in Agriculture

The IT and Industries minister of the state, KT Rama Rao said that the year 2020 was declared as the year of Artificial intelligence to facilitate new innovations in the state. Further, he mentions that the government introduced the T-AIM (Telangana’s AI Mission), a body set up in association with NASSCOM for AI-specific initiatives. Along with that, another organisation called the “Centre for Research in Applied AI” also had its launch in collaboration with Intel, IIIT-Hyderbad and Public Health Foundation of India. All of this was mentioned in his keynote address at the launch of ‘AI4AI- Artificial Intelligence for Agricultural Innovation”.

In all, Telangana is supporting agriculture sector, acknowledging it’s importance. Also, AI does seem to be promising and might yield favourable results in the agricultural sector.