Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the ICRISAT’s Climate Change Research Facility on Plant Protection and Rapid Generation Advancement Facility and also kickstarted the 50th anniversary celebrations of ICRISAT in Hyderabad.
While addressing the event, PM Modi said that India has set a target of Net-Zero by 2070 and also called for a Pro Planet People movement.
"India has set a target of Net-Zero by 2070. We have also highlighted the need for life-lifestyle for the environment and also called for a Pro Planet People movement - a movement that is crucial to combat climate change and connects every individual with climate," the Prime Minister said.
While praising ICRISAT, PM Modi said that it has an experience of 5 decades of helping other nations in making agriculture easy and sustainable.
"Today, I am hopeful that they will continue to deliver their expertise to strengthen India's 'Krishi' sector", he said.
"To save our farmers from climate challenge, our focus is on the fusion of both back to basics and march to future. Our focus is on more than 80% of small farmers of the country who need us the most," PM Modi added.
During the event, the Prime Minister also pointed out that Union Budget 2022-23, presented by Nirmala Sitharaman on Feb 1, is focused on natural farming and digital agriculture.
He also said that government is aiming to take area usage in the palm oil sector to 6.5 lakh hectares in the next few years.
"We're focusing on food security as well as nutrition security. We've developed several bio-fortified varieties in the last 7 years," PM Modi said.
During his Hyderabad visit, PM Modi will also unveil the 216-feet tall 'Statue of Equality' which commemorates Sri Ramanujacharya, who promoted the idea of equality in all aspects of living, including faith, caste and creed.