Monday, January 9 2006 14:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bhimavaram (AP): Urging farmers to make best use of technology to bring about a second Green Revolution in the country, President A P J Abdul Kalam today (Jan 9, 2005) cautioned the farming community that doubling of food grain production to over 400 million tons was not going to be an easy task.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of a Learning Centre and VirtuaLab for application of Information Technology to provide a host of services in rural areas, Kalam said value addition should remain the 'mantra' for farmers in the second Green Revolution.

"Doubling of our food grain production to over 400 million tons is not going to be an easy task. Due to urban pressure, this has to done in the context of a dip in the available land, water and even number of farmers. It is here that the technology becomes vital," he said.

The prosperity of the east and west Godavari regions should also be taken to Telanaga and Rayalaseema areas for all round development, he added.

The Byrraju Foundation, set up by Satyam Computers Services Ltd Chairman B Ramalinga Raju, was doing well in promotion of PURA (Providing Urban amenities in Rural Areas) concept, the President said, adding, "The 'PURA's should be linked through physical, broadband and knowledge connectivity."