Hybrid technology is significant for inclusive growth and increasing farmers' income: PK Mishra

Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, PK Mishra emphasized the significance of hybrid technology in addressing the challenges posed by small landholdings and the large number of farmers reliant on agriculture in India. He highlighted that achieving India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047 requires not only high economic growth but also inclusive, equitable, and sustainable development. The growth of the agriculture sector, he said, will play a crucial role in this endeavour. 

Speaking at a national symposium organized by the Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS) in New Delhi on "Hybrid Technology for Enhancing Crop Productivity," PK Mishra noted that while agriculture's share in GDP has declined from 42% in 1977 to 18% in 2023-24, 46% of the workforce remains dependent on farming, compared to 70% in 1977. From 2016-17 to 2022-23, the agriculture sector recorded an impressive 5% growth. However, 88% of farmers are smallholders, with the average landholding shrinking to less than one hectare. This underscores the need for hybrid seeds to foster more inclusive growth and ensure greater equity in economic development.

PK Mishra highlighted the potential of hybrid technology to boost agricultural productivity, improve nutritional value, and enhance resilience to various biotic and abiotic stresses. "Hybrid technology has shown remarkable superiority in many cross-pollinated, low-volume, and high-value field and horticultural crops. However, in field crops, except maize, pearl millet, and cotton, hybrids could not occupy larger areas," he said. 

He stressed the need to understand why farmers are unable to adopt some hybrid varieties. India faces a deficit in the production of oilseeds and pulses, and hybrid technology can be mainstreamed in these crops to achieve significant yield increases. "These two crops need our attention much more than what we have given so far," he remarked. Mishra called for the use of hybrid technology to boost the production of pulses and oilseeds, thereby reducing the country's dependence on imports.

Mishra also urged agricultural scientists to develop hybrid seeds that can allow farmers to save the seeds harvested from the hybrid to grow as the next crop, helping farmers reduce seed costs. He emphasized the importance of robust public-private partnerships (PPPs) to address implementation challenges. Key areas requiring attention include strengthening intellectual property rights, protecting plant varieties, and developing efficient seed production systems.

For the development of the agriculture sector, Mishra advocated a holistic approach, including the promotion of horticulture, livestock, and fisheries; the adoption of technology; a focus on small farmers; crop diversification; and increased crop productivity.