The Planning Commission is set to explore how the SRI (system of rice intensification) could be translated in the other water-starved regions across the country.

The Member, Planning Commission and former Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Dr K. Kasturirangan, who was on a two-day visit here, told reporters that he was convinced that the SRI system would accelerate productivity even in water-starved regions.

He said his team visited Sriperumpudur in Tamil Nadu to study the SRI method adopted in that belt.

Hailing the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University's efforts in implementing the SRI project, he said ‘such scientific methods of cultivation has helped enhance the growth and rice yield level by over ten per cent while conserving 40 per cent water'.

Explaining the idea behind his visit, he said ‘I came here to understand how this institution has kept pace with the changing times and not just find out what was lacking here. This (referring to the TNAU) has managed to fight all odds, while many other agricultural research institutions in the country struggled to cope with the science and technological advancements. “This was either due to lack of planning or with the education system not being dynamic with changing times. No doubt, the government policies are conducive to agricultural development in the State,” he added.

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