Bhopal, Feb 2: Country's prominent agriculture experts here on Saturday called on Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Madhya Pradesh State Planning Commission deputy chairman Sompal Shastri introduced the agriculture experts to the Chief Minister. These farm experts have come to the state capital to take part in the convention of Indian Agriculture Engineers Association being held from February 1 to 3. On this occasion, discussions were held on finding out ways to increase crop yields in Madhya Pradesh and profit-making crops apart from encouraging dry farming and bio-farming and drawing farmers' attention towards growing flowers.

The Chief Minister informed that farm experts that various efforts have been undertaken in Madhya Pradesh for encouraging bio-farming and development of horticulture and farmers have been mobilised to adopt modern methods of agriculture. More then three lakh water bodies have been made under Jalabhishek Abhiyan. Farmers have been constantly inspired for ensuring increase in underground water table by giving them grants to dig ponds in their farms under Khet-Talab Yojana.

The Chief Minister said that farmers expect better guidance from agriculture experts to counter the insect problems for their soyabean crops. The Chief Minister also informed the farm experts about efforts being made in the state for horticulture and food processing industries' establishment. He also agreed with the suggestion made by the agriculture experts to fill the vacant posts of agriculture experts at Agriculture Science Centre and assured them to take early action in this connection.

Prominent agriculture expert Dr Mangala Rai said that Madhya Pradesh has good potential for production and food processing of Aonla, Berries and Guava. The constant depleting of ground water table would inspire farmers to adopt dry farming. Dr Rai gave suggestions about drip irrigation, quality-based production and balanced use of insecticides.

The agriculture experts who called on Chief Minister Shri Chouhan included Indian Council for Agriculture Research director general Dr Mangal Rai, deputy director general Dr Nawab Ali, Sher-e-Kashmir Agriculture University, Jammu and Kashmir vice-chancellor Dr Anwar Alam, Doon Unvierity Dehradoon vice-chancellor Prof Brajendra Singh, Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa Samastipur vice-chancellor Dr LN Mourya and Central Agricultural Engineering Institute, Bhopal's director Dr Madan Mohan Pandey.