A strong cooperative movement is desperately needed to achieve a substantial spike in agricultural productivity in order to meet the future foodgrain needs of the country, said former president APJ Abdul Kalam.
He was addressing the convocation ceremony of the Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology in Bhubaneswar.
Mr. Kalam urged the university institution to develop a syllabus that adequately focused on cooperative agriculture and businesses.
He also defended the use of genetically modified crops and maintained there was not a shred of evidence to suggest anything wrong with it.
The former president added students with a high academic level from the university could greatly improve the country’s economy by bringing about progress in agricultural technology.
A large number of students and distinguished guests including Governor S.C.Jamir , Agriculture Minister Debi Prasad Mishra and vice-chncellor Manoranjan Kar attended the convocation proceedings. Scores of students were awarded degrees and certificates on the occasion.