India's Agri Minister Pitches for Biotech Crops to Achieve Second Green Revolution

India's Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh emphasized that biotechnology can help replace traditional methods of agriculture to boost quality and production. Stating that there is a need to bring second Green Revolution particularly in eastern states, Mr. Singh said: "As such, agricultural biotechnology will play a significant role in increasing quality production in these states."

Laying the foundation stone of Indian Institute of Agricultural Bio-Technology in Jharkhand on August 25, 2014,  the minister pitched for biotech crops for achieving a second green revolution in the country. The agriculture minister mentioned that due to climatic changes and fluctuations in temperature, agriculture has been adversely affected in the past. This has led not only to reduction in production but has also affected the quality of crops. Highlighting the benefits of biotechnology, Singh said crops can be made climate resilient, and drop in production can be addressed with use of biotech crops. In the backdrop of limited natural resources and growing population, there is an urgent need to change the traditional methods of agriculture, he added.

The mission of the institute will be to strengthen ongoing research work, fundamental research in the field of biotechnology, as well as building capacity for human resources.

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