''scientific research is essential for technology upgrade’’

COIMBATORE: It is high time that India invests in research, said the president of South Asia Biotechnology Association

C D Mayee

said at the 38th convocation of the

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

(TNAU) here on Saturday.

Mayee was the chief guest for the event, and in his convocation day address, he said, “There is a need for investments in research. Technology can provide solutions for most problems today. And, technology comes from science and scientific research is essential for technology upgrade.”

He said that few months ago the scientists across the nation had said that there is lack of funds to carryout research. “Tamil Nadu is one of the few states that has provided enough funds to carryout research,” he said.

A total of 649 candidates were awarded degrees during the convocation by the

Tamil Nadu governor C Vidyasagar Rao

. He also conferred up on the honorary degree in doctorate of science to the chairman and CEO of Tractors and Farm Equipment Ltd,

Mallika Srinivasan

.

In her acceptance speech, Mallika touched up on the need for increasing agricultural yield. “Although great strides have been made in enhancing food production in our country, our yields on a number of crops continue to lag behind China, US and Brazil. In the years ahead, TAFE will work closely with government, academic and research organisations to enhance mechanisation and as its corporate social responsibility (CSR), propagate, educate and facilitate an integrated approach to farm management,” she said.

World population is set to increase by 1.2 billion from 7.3 billion to 8.5 billion people by 2030, with 80% of the growth from Asia and Africa, said Mallika Srinivasan. “With growing affluence and a reduction in malnutrition driven by UN’s MDG(Millennium Development Goal) Hunger Project and other government programmes across the world, consumption is expected to increase from 697 Kg per capita to 750 Kg per capita by 2030 raising world food demand to 12.4 billion tonnes per annum, up from the 10 billion tonnes in 2013,” she said.

“The demand growth will be led by Africa, Asia and Latin America and a sharp rise in demand for fruits and vegetables, meat and sea food, organic foods and processed foods will be witnessed,” added Mallika.