“A separate budget for agriculture with special focus on natural farming will be
announced in upcoming budget. At the same time reviving of local and village
markets to ensure farmers to get fair price for their produce” says Thiru M K
Stalin. This was announced by the Chief minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru M K Stalin
during inaugural of the virtual International Consultation “Ensuring Food and
Nutrition Security in the Context of Climate Change and the COVID-19
Pandemic”, organized by the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation
(MSSRF) in Chennai. National Policy-makers, Scientists, and the Global
experts on Climate Change, Agriculture, Food and Nutrition will attend the
high-level three-day virtual event.
He also emphasized on maintaining of ground water as well as control of flood
in Chennai city. He urged all the environmental scientists of Tamil Nadu to
come up with innovative suggestions to resolve the climate crisis in the state.
“Climate change is a life-threatening issue. Its impact is increasing day-by-day
as there is rise in incidents of heat-waves, drought, and floods. He urges
scientists of our State to come up with some innovative solution to tackle it
and this will be openheartedly accepted” says Chief Minister.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof M S Swaminathan, emphasized on use
of science and technology in agriculture and showed his gratitude to one of
the first leader of Tamil Nadu who initiated science-based agriculture.
“I recall with gratitude that our great leader Kalaignar M Karunanidhi, former
Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu who felt science and technology are building
blocks for modern agriculture and initiated very early, which strengthen State’s
Agriculture Institutions and farmers community” says Prof M S Swaminathan.
He further emphasized over need of technical as well as assured and remunerative market support for rural women, tribal and farmers. Earlier, Dr Madhura Swaminathan, Chairperson, MSSRF, welcomed the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Thiru M K Stalin, and Minister for Health and Family Welfare, through. Ma Subramanian.
“Like every year, policy recommendations from these deliberations will be shared with the State and the Union Governments” says Dr Madhura Swaminathan.The inaugural session attended by Mr N Ram, Chairman of the Hindu Group and Former Trustee, Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Chief Scientist, WHO, current MSSRF’s trustees Mr V Namasivayam, Dr Kezevino Aram, Mr