Millionaire Farmer of India 2023 event on Day 2 session 4 focus shifted to the crucial role of media and FTJ (Farmer the Journalist) in ensuring credible agri-fact-checking.
Eminent personalities from diverse fields came together to shed light on the challenges faced by farmers and the strategies needed to overcome them.
Kritika Kamthan, representing Dataleads, took the stage to emphasize the integral role farmers play as the backbone of the country. She underscored the significant contribution of agriculture to the GDP, revealing a commendable 17 to 18 percent increase.
She also highlighted that the agriculture sector employs 50 percent of the population. She elaborated on the numerous government schemes and tax waivers, with 150 out of 750 schemes being centrally sponsored.
Annually, the government of India funds a staggering 10 lakhs crores, demonstrating its commitment to the agricultural community. Kamthan stressed the need for farmer awareness on technology, government policies, and environmental factors for sustainable growth and increased income.
Dr SK Malhotra, Project Director of DKMA and former Commissioner, delved into the realm of fact-checking and misinformation in agriculture. Using examples ranging from pesticides to biostimulants.
He also illustrated how misinformation can be detrimental. He urged the audience to scrutinize the source of information to combat the spread of fake news effectively.
Sanjay Vats, President of Insecticides India Limited, took the stage to enlighten the crowd on combating misinformation. He advocated for biological solutions, emphasizing the importance of soil health. He acknowledged the efforts of both the government and corporates while urging them to do more to address the challenges faced by farmers.
The panel discussion concluded with the distribution of awards to deserving farmers, recognizing their commendable contributions to the agricultural sector.
The Millionaire Farmer of India 2023 event continues to be a platform where industry leaders, policymakers, and experts converge to discuss and address the pressing issues facing the agricultural community, with a collective commitment to fostering sustainable growth and prosperity.
