Govt stresses need for farm diversification

Singh said, 8216;8216;The historical emphasis on foodgrain production has built a solid base for food security and the need, now, is to move into horticulture, floriculture, animal husbandry and other activities that raise farm incomes.8217;8217;

The government has also decided to invest Rs 15 crore into a joint project with the Indian Institute of Technology IIT Delhi and the Met Department. The project is working towards a forecasting model that predicts changes in the weather two weeks in advance of current methods.

8216;8216;IIT Delhi8217;s weather forecasting model will predict the likely weather conditions at least two weeks in advance,8217;8217; Singh said, adding that basic technical inputs to the model were being provided by the met department.

The new model, which will take two years to complete, will help farmers plan crops more scientifically and decide on planting, sowing and reaping seasons more strategically, based on additional information.