Meet for modernising farming

The country had a vast human potential which could be harnessed by optimum use of science and technology, he said, adding volume of production could be raised. He pointed out that agricultural produce could be preserved for a long time and exported, by adopting food processing technology.

Given the fact that the region has as many as 2500 co-operative societies, South Gujarat could easily set its sight higher if each one of them started food processing industries on a small scale.

District Collector Sangeeta Singh said the country stood second in the field of agriculture. She pointed out that while China exports 32 to 34 per cent of its processed food, India’s share was an abysmal one to two per cent every year. Eatables worth a whopping Rs 15,000 crore could be saved annually with the use of technology.

District Development Officer B N Joshi felt that the standard of living in the country could be raised if farmers were given training on increasing per acre yield. Schemes oriented at village development should be run by co-operative societies to achieve the objective.

Vice-chairman of Surat District Co-operative Bank Limited Dilipbhai Bhakt, programme executive of National Horticulture Board, Deputy director (Horticulture) R N Solanki, Director of Navsari Krushi University D G Vala were among others who guided farmers on nurturing Sapota, mango, flowers among various fruit and vegetables.