ICRISAT collaborates with AP to improve agriculture

Hyderabad, Aug 13 (INN): In a meeting with ICRISAT executives on Wednesday, Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu discussed ways to transform agriculture in the next five years in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

The Chief Minister has asked ICRISAT to collaborate with the state government in making Andhra Pradesh a drought-free state. The Chief Minister has asked ICRISAT executives to adopt innovative science-led technologies to transform rain-fed as well as irrigated agriculture in the state. Based on the availability of land and resources in the state, the Chief Minister has asked the organization to suggest appropriate cropping systems that would create better livelihood opportunities for people.

Stating that ICRISAT would offer its whole support to the government, the executives informed the Chief Minister that they would follow the state government’s mission-based approach through convergence, capacity building and collective action.

Lauding ICRISAT for their effective rainwater management techniques, the Chief Minister has asked the team to work out a plan on water management, food security and improving livelihoods of farmers in the state by devising a plan to make agriculture profitable. He has also asked the ICRISAT team to work on technologies that the state can capitalize on.

ICRISAT Director General William D. Dar, Dr. Suhas P. Wani, director ICRISAT Development Centre and other officials were present.