The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has said, he is confident that FDI in retail will benefit the farmers and the consumers. It will introduce new technology and investment in marketing agricultural products. Speaking at Punjab Agriculture University Golden Jubilee Convocation in Ludhiana, Dr. Singh said, the 12th Plan has targetted for the country as a whole an average of 8.2 per cent growth in GDP and four per cent in agriculture. He said, the decision to allow FDI in retail, approved by Parliament was strongly supported by farmer organisations in Punjab. Dr. Singh said, Punjab should take the lead in encouraging best practices in crop management and improving food safety and hygine. He said, the scope for building supply chains is particularly large in the more advanced agricultural states and Punjab can be a torch bearer. Dr. Singh said, Punjab Agriculture University must gear up to help the state's agriculture meet the challenges of the future and to help it to scale new heights. He said, hardwork of the progressive farmers of Punjab and other states made the original Green Revolution possible.

The Prime Minister was conferred with the degree of Doctor of Science at the Punjab Agriculture University. He gave away awards and medals to students at the function.

AIR Jalandhar Correspondent reports that Dr. Singh expressed concern about the depleting water table in Punjab and said that sustainability of water use in agriculture has emerged as a major problem in the state and it should not continue over-exploiting its ground water to support rice cultivation.

Punjab Governor and Chancellor of the university, Shivraj V. Patil and the Chief Minisetr, Prakash Singh Badal also addressed the convocation.I&B Minister, Manish Tewari was also presenmt on the occasion.