It’s time for second green revolution

It’s time for second green revolution
x
Highlights

Mahabubabad MP and former Botany professor A Seetaram Naik stressed on the need of second green revolution to ensure food security to the ever-growing population.

Hanamkonda: Mahabubabad MP and former Botany professor A Seetaram Naik stressed on the need of second green revolution to ensure food security to the ever-growing population.

Though a good amount of research was being done in creating high yield and pest-resisting crop varieties, extensive research has to be taken up to provide food security to people all over the world. It has become a challenge to scientists to ensure food security with growing population, he said.

The MP delivered inaugural address at the two-day national seminar on ‘Frontiers of Plant Research – Prospects and Challenges’, organised by Department of Botany, Kakatiya University on Thursday. The seminar was sponsored by UGC and TSCHE.

Plant genetic engineering has ushered in the development of transgenic plants. Giving an example of such work, he said efforts were on to incorporate Vitamin A into rice genome aiming to prevent night blindness in millions of children.

Plants ensure sustenance of environment for survival of humankind and other life forms. But sadly, there has been an unprecedented loss of plant diversity in the past decades due to global warming and climate change, which, he said, could lead to food shortage and malnutrition if it remains unchecked, the MP said.

“An inclusive research on various aspects of plant life and to conserve forests is needed,” he said, adding that a Forest Research Centre should be established to look into the issue.

“The Telangana government, which recognised importance of green cover, has embarked upon Haritha Haram programme,” he said, adding that universities should also come up with programmes to educate rural masses about the impact of deforestation, chemical farming and use of plastics, Naik noted.

Prof Laszlo Szabados, a scientist from Hungary delivering keynote address. She said, “India is replete with beautiful biodiversity and it should to be conserved for the benefit of future generations.”

Green crusader and Padma Shri awardee Daripalli Ramaiah was felicitated at the seminar in recognition of his missionary services towards environmental protection by planting more than one crore saplings. The department head M Surekha, faculty Y Pramila Devi, A Ragan, M Surekha, V Krishna Reddy and others were present.

Show Full Article
Print Article
Next Story
More Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENTS