Prime Minister Narendra Modi today pitched for greater use of research for boosting the agriculture sector. Addressing the Foundation Day celebration of Indian Council Agriculture Research, ICAR, in New Delhi, Mr Modi gave the slogan 'Lab-to-Land', saying that farmers should be able to enhance production to increase their income and feed the country as well as the world.

The Prime Minister pressed for the use of scientific technologies to help raise the agricultural production in “less land, less time” as he expressed concern over the depleting natural resources and the challenge of climate change.

He said the focus of government policies should be to increase the farmers' income without which farm growth target cannot be achieved. Mr Modi emphasised upon the need for taking scientific research to fields and suggested setting up of radio stations by agri-colleges and universities to create awareness among farmers.

While noting that India is still dependent on import of edible oil and pulses despite being an agrarian economy, he said 'Per drop, more crop' can be our mission statement.

The Prime Minister also called for 'Blue Revolution' in fisheries sector on the lines of Green and White Revolutions.

Agriculture Minister Radhamohan Singh, Minister of State for Agriculture Dr Sanjiv Balyan also graced the occasion.