Manmohan Singh asked Panjab Agricultural University authorities to find research solutions to deal with market challenges

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5 Dariya News (Vijyender  Sharma)

Ludhiana , 08 Dec 2012

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asked Panjab Agricultural University authorities to find research solutions to deal with market challenges following the nod for FDI in retail. Addressing the gathering at a convocation in the varsity, the Prime Minister said research is needed to develop varieties that can cater to various tastes and that have longer shelf life. Our decision to allow Foreign Direct Investment in retail, which was approved by Parliament only yesterday, was strongly supported by farmer organisations in Punjab. It will, I suggest, introduce new technology and investment in marketing agricultural produce. India, I sincerely feel, must take full advantage of modern technology and the operational and management experience of big supply chains in the food retail business to make this happen. I am confident that it will benefit our farmers, and the consumers of our country, he added.Looking ahead, the Punjab Agricultural University must look to find research solutions for dealing with new marketing challenges. Research can play a major role in developing varieties more suitable to different market tastes and with longer shelf life. As we move beyond staple foods, there is need for our research effort to link up more effectively with the private sector which will be responsible for market arrangements so that market demands can guide the future direction of research as well.