ISRO chairman sees multiple opportunities for space applications

Our Corporate Bureau

New Delhi, Aug 31: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman K Kasturirangan said that there are myriad opportunities held out by innovative space applications in the development of industry, agriculture, human resources, environment and disaster management.

Delivering the 4th JRD Tata Memorial Lecture organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) Dr Kasturirangan said, “The demands triggered by the investments in space for production, supply and maintenance of ground equipment and value-added service are great opportunities for industry.”

The lecture was chaired by the Chamber president Raghu Mody and attended by Parliamentarians, captains of industry and trade, diplomatic personnel and members of the academia.

Dr Kasturirangan said, “In the future, Indian weather satellites will continue to play a prominent role in improving accuracy and horizon of weather forecasts, which are important for agricultural operations such as sowing, irrigation and pest control and for several other sectors of economy.”

ISRO chief envisaged a greater role for space as a valuable tool to face the challenges of future in the field of agriculture, which at present accounts for nearly 65 per cent of nation’s employment and 26 per cent of GDP.

He said, “Its key challenges in terms of making it profitable for farmers, diversifying it, promoting capital formation, improving market access, and improving productivity need a sound strategy for its implementation.” He stressed the need for formulating a vision for an innovative route of development in agriculture, with the backdrop of WTO regime.