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About $9.7 million have been approved by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as grant for Indian farmers. This is a part of the $120 million programme, which the foundation has allocated for the uplift of agriculture in poor nations.
"Melinda and I believe that helping the poorest small-holder farmers grow more crops and get them to market is the world's single most powerful lever for reducing hunger and poverty," Gates said in Des Moines, Iowa, announcing the new programme.
He mentioned that agricultural transformations which happened in India and other nations in the 1960s to 1980s should form the source of inspiration for other nations.
At the same time, he felt, scientists, governments and others must also not repeat the mistakes of the original Green Revolution, such as the overuse of fertilisers and irrigation.
"In India the project aims to mobilize 120,000 women into self-help groups to assist them in improving their farm productivity and food security, enhancing their household income," the foundation said.
"The primary aim is to create sustainable farm-based livelihood for rural families in endemically poor regions of India by training women farmers in land and water management and modern farming practices, establishing village extension services and building effective market linkages."
