Agriculture, innovation to fuel march towards Viksit Bharat@2047: Om Birla
New Delhi, June 13
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said on Saturday that India's success of the Viksit Bharat @2047 rests on the robust integration of agriculture, knowledge, research and innovation.
Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day national conference "Sustainable Agriculture for Viksit Bharat@2047: Tradition, Technology and Tangible Outcomes", Birla said, "India's agriculture is not merely the backbone of the economy but also the cornerstone of our cultural consciousness, food security, rural prosperity, and social stability."
The conference was organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Rashtriya Shaikshik Mahasangh (ABRSM) in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Birla said that amid global challenges such as climate change, food security, and the Sustainable Development Goals, it is imperative today to harmonise traditional agricultural knowledge with modern science, technology, Artificial Intelligence, climate-resilient innovations, and research-based solutions.
He noted that farming will remain central to the vision of a developed India by ensuring food security, rural prosperity, social harmony, and inclusive growth.
"India's villages are the country's true strength, and our farmers continue to be the backbone of both our economy and social fabric," he stated.
Birla identified agricultural universities, research institutions, scientists, and innovators as the primary pillars of India's agricultural future.
He observed that the next-generation technologies - such as drones, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and digital farming - are making agriculture increasingly precise and productive.
He also emphasised the urgent need to expand agro-based industries, food processing units, and agri-startups to accelerate rural development and uplift farmers' livelihoods.
Turning to environmental concerns, the Lok Sabha Speaker highlighted the importance of water conservation, efficient micro-irrigation, soil health management, high-quality seeds, optimised fertiliser use, and climate-resilient crop varieties. He lauded the continuous efforts of ICAR and the wider scientific community in engineering solutions that reinforce agricultural productivity.
Birla observed that youth energy, women's leadership, and grassroots innovation will provide vital momentum to the rural economy.
He called upon teachers, scientists, researchers, policymakers, and farmers to work collectively toward developing self-reliant agricultural models that foster long-term prosperity.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone from a farming family in Tamil Nadu, I appreciate the sentiment. But "agri-startups" and "food processing" sound great in Delhi speeches. In reality, small farmers like my uncle can barely afford basic seeds, let alone drones. The government needs to ensure these technologies are actually accessible and affordable. Still, glad to see water conservation and soil health getting priority - that's where the real change begins. 🙏
Interesting to see India's focus on tradition + tech. As someone working in agri-tech in the US, I can say India has a unique advantage with its vast rural population and traditional knowledge. The key will be how they scale these innovations without displacing small farmers. AI for precision farming is great, but India needs to ensure it doesn't create a digital divide in rural areas. Looking forward to seeing how this unfolds. 👍
Love the emphasis on women's leadership in rural economy! Our women in villages are already doing so much - from managing farms to running small businesses. Formal recognition and support for them is long overdue. Also, micro-irrigation and water conservation - finally someone talking sense! In Karnataka, water scarcity is real. Hope ICAR's climate-resilient crops actually reach our farmers soon. 💪
Viksit Bharat 2047 sounds great, but let's be honest - our farmers are still struggling with MSP, loan waivers, and basic market access. All this talk about AI and drones is premature when many villages don't even have reliable electricity or internet. The government should first fix the fundamentals before jumping on the tech bandwagon. That said, the vision is inspiring if implemented properly. 🇮🇳
S We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.