Food security is a major challenge, says eminent scientist Ayyappan

Mysuru: Climate change, biotic stresses, resource decline and degradation, urban migration, and volatile market are the major challenges in front of the Indian agricultural sectors, said Central Agricultural University Imphal chancellor and Karnataka Science & Technology Academy chairman S Ayyappan stated on Monday.
Delivering the lecture on ‘Agri-Tech for Food and Nutrition’ as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav seminar on the theme Innovation to build resilient, sustainable food supply for nutritional security, at the CFTRI, he stated that by 2050, 70% increase in the agri production is anticipated in the country.
Ayyappan started his speech with a reference to the Raitha Geethe penned by poet laureate Kuvempu.
Stressing on the importance of creating more jobs through skill development in the agriculture sector, he stated that employment can be created in this field. He also emphasised the importance of upgrading the farmers to agripreneurs. Innovations, inputs, incentives, investments, and institutions are key for this, he said.
Referring to the efforts taken to double the income of farmers, he emphasized on the role of integration, diversification, cutting the costs, agriculture clusters, adding value to the farm products, and finding the solution posed by the irregular monsoon, and market condition.
Ayyappan observed that climate change impacts all farming activities. It impacts all stages of farming. New challenges are really concerning us, he said.
He also stressed on the importance of smart farming technologies for smart farmers which includes the promotion of low-cost technologies, water management, protection of the health of the soil, nano fertilisers, etc.
Genetic diversity in crops is essential to ensure food and nutritional security, he observed. He highlighted the diversity of crops and varieties in India. He also stressed on the importance of agricultural biotechnology for better results in farming. He said that awareness must be created about the importance of newer technologies in society.
CFTRI director Sridevi A Singh was present.
Fish is the future
Ravishankar CN, director, and vice-chancellor, ICAR-CIFE, ministry of agriculture and farmers welfare stated that safe and nutritious food is paramount to all of us.
Delivering a talk on ‘Blue Revolution for Food Security’ at the CFTRI, he stated that availability, access, utilization, and stability are the four dimensions of food security. Around the world, almost 3.1 billion people are unable to afford a healthy diet, he said. It is alarming and a matter of concern, he said.
Growing food insecurity, pandemic, inequalities in our societies, child undernutrition, deficiencies in essential micronutrients, obesity among children and adults, and maternal anemia are the growing issues, he said.
He stated that rising consumer food prices, supply chain disruption due to Covid and Ukraine war, and severe and extreme climate changes are the major challenges to feeding the world.
Fish is an important food to address the deficiencies in essential micronutrients, he said. It also can address all the lifestyle diseases we are speaking of, he said.
Fish is the future. Fish breeding, rearing, marketing, and export are the major aspects of the blue revolution, he stated.