ARS & DAATTC, Tornala Scientists participated in Farmers interaction meeting of Director General Delegation, FAO in context of G20 at Rythu Vedika, Markook, Siddipet Dt on 15.06.2023

Delegation of Food and Agriculture Organisation, Rome, Italy lead by Director General, Dr. Qu Dongyu accompanied by Sri M. Raghunandan Rao, IAS, APC & Secretary, Government of Telangana and Honourable Vice Chancellor, PJTSAU and Sri. Hanumant K. Zendage Special Commissioner for Agriculture, Government of Telangana visited Rythu Vedika, Markook, Siddipet District on 15.06.2023 to interact with farmers of Siddipet. Sri Muzammil Khan, Additional Collector, Siddipet District briefed about the schemes taken up by the Government of Telangana for the benefit of the farmers after formation of Telangana. Dr. Qu Dongyu, DG, FAO interacted with farmers of Markook and was impressed with improvement in livelihoods with respect to income, standard of living, children’s education and agricultural productivity as an outcome of the assured irrigation facility through Kaleswaram lift irrigation projects and ongoing governmental schemes. He congratulated visionary leadership in addressing the needs of farmers. He stressed upon to concentrate and work on agrifood systems that are more efficient, inclusive, climate resilient and sustainable, which can achieve the Four Betters-better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life. He encouraged farmers for women empowerment and to invest in children’s education. He opined that the value chain system from production to processing and sales should be economically viable for smallholder farmers and agricultural producers with diversified agriculture of crops, livestock, fisheries and poultry to accomplish high rates of sustainability and food security. Sri M. Raghunandan Rao, IAS informed the delegation about the developmental activities and prosperity after achieving Telangana and people are visiting from different parts of the World to see the success of the schemes that are being implemented in the state. Dr. S. Sridevi, PS & Head, ARS, Tornala along with Dr. Ch. Pallavi, Scientist, DAATTC, Tornala interacted with the Dr. Qu Dongyu, DG, FAO and other members of the Delegation of FAO, and informed about the efforts that are being made by PJTSAU for promotion of nutrient rich millets highlighting 2023 as International Year of Millets. In order to encourage production and consumption of millets, displayed the millets produced by the students of APT, Tornala along with the production technologies of the millets. Different varieties of paddy (JGL-24423; KNM-118, WGL-32100, WGL-962, Siddi, KNM-1638), Redgram (WRGE-97, WRGE-93, WRG-65, PRG-176), green gram (WGG-42), green manure (Sunhemp, Crotalaria), Soybean (Basar, JS-335), Maize (DHM-117, DHM-121, Karimnagar makka) were also showcased. About 200 farmers and 127 Departmental Staff participated in the interaction meeting.