'Research benefits should reach farmers'

NASHIK: With the onset of monsoon facilitating sowing of rain-fed kharif crops, some of the universities and research institutes conducted their annual preview summit on Wednesday.
The meeting was held in Nashik on the premises of Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU).
YCMOU vice-chancellor Dr Manikrao Salunkhe, vice-chancellor of Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth (MPKV) in Rahuri Dr K C Vishwanatha and state agriculture commissioner Vikas Deshmukh participated in the summit with the heads and representatives of agriculture research institutes as well as agriculture officers of ten districts.
"The target of doubling the income of farmers in five years is as ambitious as the second green revolution. The soil's profile and health will play a crucial role in achieving this target. To improve soil health, we must make it as a mission to manufacture and use organic fertilizers," said Dr Vishwanatha.
He also said research benefits must reach common farmers. "All the agriculture universities in Maharashtra have done commendable research. But the need is to take these inventions to the common farmer," he added.
Responding to his appeal, Deshmukh declared to observe the first seven days of July as 'agro awareness week' across the state. "Farmers will be made aware about the new research and technologies developed by the universities. Our target is to achieve 100% drip irrigation in sugarcane in the next four years, which will save huge amount of water," he said.