Dr Prasanna, director of CIMMYT at International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre at Mexico, said that agriculture scientists have set their focus on making cultivation a profitable venture.

Renowned agriculture scientist, Dr Boddupalli Maruthi Prasanna has said that a new variety of Maize seed, which could withstand both drought conditions and natural calamities, will reach the farmers shortly. He said that the development of new seed is under advanced stage and they are planning to release it for farm experiments shortly.

Dr Prasanna, director of CIMMYT at International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre at Mexico, said that agriculture scientists have set their focus on making cultivation a profitable venture.

Addressing a national seminar at Bapatla agriculture college in the district on Thursday, Prasanna, who was an alumni of the college, said that their focus has been shifted from increasing the yields to making agriculture profitable after seeing agrarian crisis across the globe. He said that agriculture researchers should take Norman Borlaug who was pioneer of green revolution as inspiration to make the farmers happy.

“Any research should help the farmer come out of the crisis. Students should keep in mind that purpose of their studies will be served only when the farmer is happy,” said Dr Prasanna. He said that seeds should be developed keeping in view of the fast environmental changes. He said that new varieties should be developed in such a way that they would withstand natural calamities and unknown viruses.

The seminar was organized by Acharya NG Ranga Agriculture University and 1980-batch students of the college as part of Bapatla Agriculture College platinum jubilee celebrations.

The 1980-batch students’ association president and chief commissioner of GST (Hyderabad) Dr D Purushottam said that they have instituted a gold medal for the best outgoing woman student from the Bapatla agriculture college to encourage the young talent. He said that they were proud that about 10 students of 1980-batch from Bapatla agriculture college have become civil services officers serving different cadres and states across the country. He said that while 34 of their batch settled in senior positions in banking sector, 24 were associated with agriculture research projects.

Dr Purushottam, a senior IRS officer, said that 19 of their batch were working with Icrisat and agriculture universities in Telugu states. He said that they have decided to take lead role in making Bapatla Agriculture College as national institute of excellence by taking up different projects. Several senior officials of NG Ranga Agriculture University were present at the seminar.

This post has been published in Times of India news feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

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