Revitalizing India's Agricultural Research: A Call to Action

Montek Singh Ahluwalia stresses the urgent need to revitalize India's agricultural research institutes by granting them more funding and autonomy. He highlights challenges, including excessive fertiliser subsidies and the lack of international collaboration among today’s scientists, compared to M.S. Swaminathan’s era.

Montek Singh Ahluwalia, former Deputy Chairman of the erstwhile Planning Commission, emphasized the urgent need to revitalize India's agricultural research institutes. Speaking at a book launch on agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan, Ahluwalia pointed out the necessity of more funding and autonomy for these educational bodies.

He criticized the excessive subsidisation of fertilizers by successive governments, which he described as 'ridiculous'. Ahluwalia also lamented the diminishing leadership role of Indian agricultural research on the global stage, recalling the vibrant international collaboration in the era of M.S. Swaminathan.

Swaminathan, credited with making India foodgrain surplus, advocated for an 'evergreen revolution' to ensure food and nutrition security for all. Ahluwalia further noted the need for present-day scientists to reduce fertilizer usage and forge international scientific collaborations to tackle multi-dimensional challenges.

(With inputs from agencies.)