Use of Technology and Innovation Will be the Driving Force to Transform the Agri Sector: Nikhil Sawhney

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Chandigarh Oct.16, 2020:- Stable policy regime, upgrading technology quotient, ensuring a long-term sustainable agriculture eco system will be key to 'Double the Farmers' Incomes by 2022 said by Chief Guest Sanjay Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India today at CII Conference on Emerging Technologies for Farming Sector being organised under the CII Agro & Food Tech scheduled between 16 – 22 October 2020 over Virtual Platform (CII HIVE). He added that development of technology should be followed by merciless testing and quick transfer to perspective users. The role of private sector in jointly developing and transferring technologies is also very crucial said by Sanjay Agarwal. He further added that given the long-term neglect of agronomics, the only way to make progress within this decade is to 'pole vault' deficiencies by injecting technologies and innovation on a massively parallel scale and building a collaborative national approach across private and government institutions. 

In his Special Address,  Nikhil Sawhney, Chairman, CII Northern Region and Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Triveni Turbine Ltd said that use of Technology and Innovation will be the driving force to transform the Agri Sector. He opined that the adoption of technologies will results in an increase in Agri production with a lot less waste. A long-term perspective, as well as a more real-time approach is required for sustainable growth of the farm sector. 

Sriram Kannan, Conference Chairman and MD, Claas India Pvt Ltd said that we need to emphasize on adoption of modern agricultural technologies, farm mechanization, reducing crop losses, efficient use of inputs such as seeds; chemicals; fertilizers, etc. which shall improve the quality & quantity of agro produce. He also said that farmer education, skill development and effective linkages with financial institutions will help in attaining higher agricultural growth in the country. 

Also speaking at the Inaugural Session, Dr Lokesh Agrawal, Vice President  & Head–R&D, National Engineering Industries said that Affordability, Sustainability & Efficiency is key to realization of development of the farm sector. He defined the 3 factor as Affordability – looking for cost neutral tailored specific solutions, Sustainability – using the scare recourses, understanding the weather patterns, Localized solutions – using right amount of fertilizers, pesticides etc and Efficiency – Farm equipment mechanization. 

Devinder Singh Chawla, Partner & National Leader–Chemicals & Agri, Ernst & Young LLP said that farm Mechanisation and Technology led Farming Solutions both have seen significant positive traction fuelled by the advancements in technology and digitalization. He also said that agriculture in India has been an important and significant part of the India economy and accounts for over 16% of the GDP and provides employment to over 58% of the working population.