"Food security can be achieved using technology. Accept the situation and find a way to solve the problem," A Sivathanu Pillai, Chief Controller (Research and Development) and Chief Executive Officer, Brahmos Aerospace said.

Delivering a Guest Lecture on 'Robotics in Agriculture' at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University here on Friday, he said the challenge for agriculture is lot more today compared to the past.

Highlighting the problem areas such as shrinking arable land, scarce water, excessive use of pesticide and migration of people, he said "technological inputs can help overcome such issues. It can however be successful only if the farmer is integrated into the system."

Establishment of village resource centres, organising training camps and knowledge dissemination centres would help integrate farmers, but concerted efforts should be made to achieve this, he said and urged students and researchers to find new varieties of plants that can absorb carbon dioxide, focus on quality characteristics and develop appropriate technologies for production of energy crops.

"We have a rich heritage," he added.

The DRDO has created agri-labs and is prepared to give technology, the Brahmos CEO said.

Reverting to the DRDO – Bharathiar University Centre for Life Sciences tie-up, he said "the second phase of the project has just taken off with focus on biotechnology and nano technology. We have sanctioned Rs 22 cr of which Rs 7 cr was released recently. The idea is to work on projects with local colleges and the TNAU on the use of bio-research."

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