Mumbai :- Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari said Geographical Indication and Radiation Research in agriculture can increase the income of farmers manifolds and bring about a revolution in the field of agriculture in the country. In this connection, he said he will try his best to set up the Indian Institute of Nuclear Agriculture in Uttarakhand with the support of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre.
Governor Koshyari was addressing a discussion on the theme ‘Radiation Research in Agriculture for Uttarakhand State’ at Anushaktinagar in Mumbai on Saturday (1 Oct).
The discussion was organised by Doonagiri Samajik Sanstha and Uttarakhand Samajik Sanstha Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai.
The Governor said geographical indication of agricultural products had quadrupled the income of banana producers in Maharashtra. He said GI registration helps agriculturists to get a better price for their produce in international markets. The Governor said research in radiation could help preserve food products and improve seeds. He said in his capacity as Chancellor of universities in Maharashtra, he will ask agricultural universities in Maharashtra to work with BARC closely. 
Making a presentation on the suitability of nuclear agriculture in Uttarakhand, the Director of Health Safety and Environment at BARC Dr Dinesh Kumar Aswal said the only way forward for India is nuclear agriculture. He called for the establishment of the Indian Institute of Nuclear Agriculture in Uttarakhand.
Director General of Uttarakhand Council for Science and Technology (UCOST) Dr Durgesh Pant called for undertaking nuclear energy sensitization programmes and spoke of implementing the millet mission with greater commitment to increase the income of farmers.
Chairman and Managing Director of Nuclear Corporation of India B C Pathak, Controller of BARC K Jayakumar, theatre and film actor Hemant Pandey, scientist Dr Tapan Kumar Ghanty, Dr H J Pant, President Uttarakhand Sanajik Sanstha, Dr H. Bhatt, President, Doonagiri Samajik Sanstha, scientist Dr Manish Joshi and officials of the two social organisations were present.
