Mysuru – The agricultural researchers must work towards cultivating nutritious food as the demand for the same would increase with the increase of the population as well, said Dr. S. Ayyappan, former DG, Indian Council of Agricultural Research.

He was speaking after inaugurating the two-day National Conference on Food-Based Approaches for Translational Nutrition organised by Nutrition Society of India, Mysuru Chapter in association with Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Yuvaraja’s College at Senate Bhavan in Manasagangothri yesterday.

Though India manufactures  a large number of food products it is important to know the nutritional level of the products. With the population increase every day the demand for nutritional food will increase in developing countries by 2050, he added.

Stating that agricultural activities had taken a back seat in the country, Dr. Ayyappan said that emphasis must given to cultivate ragi and millets which were indigenous crops. He also regretted the agricultural lands being converted into industrial and commercial sites.  He also called upon the farmers to take up smart farming in an effort to save water.  Prof. Jamuna Prakash, Retd. Professor, Food Science and Nutrition, was feted.