Mysuru: The scientists should come out with drought-resistant crop varieties that use less water to help farmers, said JD(S) Supremo and former PM H.D. Deve Gowda. He was speaking as the chief guest at the ‘Awards Day’ function organised by CFTRI yesterday at its IFTTC Hall where he presented medals and certificates to the 51st batch students who had passed the M.Sc. Food Technology course and International School of Milling Technology (ISMT) courses.
He said “due to change in climatic conditions the water shortage has increased. Hence the scientists should come out with better ideas through research to combat this situation by trying to introduce drought-resistant crops.”
There are cancer-causing elements in most of the food that we are consuming today. Research organisations like CFTRI must produce food that helps in controlling diabetes and other life-style diseases through research and present it to the country. “It is very laudable that CFTRI has adopted Puttagona village and providing basic facilities and to see them encouraging women empowerment.”
Former PM H.D. Deve Gowda, who gave away medals to M.Sc. Food Technology and ISMT courses at CFTRI yesterday, is seen with former VC Prof K.S. Rangappa, CFTRI Director Prof. Ram Rajasekharan, M.Sc. Food Technology Course Co-ordinator Dr. M.N. Shashirekha and ISMT Co-ordinator Prof. G.S. Gangadharappa.
A farmer in Ramanagaram, who does not know the techniques of farming, has been able to grow high quality crops and been successful. Similarly, there are farmers like this throughout the country. Such farmers should be identified and both the Centre and State Governments should assist them and more importance should be given to them, said Deve Gowda.
Former University of Mysore Vice-Chancellor Prof K.S. Rangappa, who was the guest of honour, said that there was a deep bond between the University and CFTRI. The existing Universities are losing their autonomy and the government is interfering too much. This could result in creating problems for administration.
He called upon the CFTRI scientists to come out with more research on the obesity found among the city-bred children, malnutrition among rural children and to develop disease-resistant crop varieties.
CFTRI Director Prof. Ram Rajasekharan presided.
The chief guest H.D. Deve Gowda also planted a sapling at the CFTRI premises.
Chaplili hodiri Devegowdange.