Speaking at the 83  foundation day of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in New Delhi today, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh said meeting rising foodgrain demand expected to touch 280 million tonnes in 2020-21 will necessitate a growth rate of nearly 2 per cent per annum in food production. (See: Foodgrain demand to touch 280 million tonnes by 2020

Here is the full text of Dr Singh's address.

"My greetings to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research family on the occasion of the Council's 83rd Foundation Day. It is indeed a pride and a great sense of joy for me to be with you here today.

"The ICAR has served our country with great distinction for over eight decades now. It has done pioneering work in many areas of agricultural research, leading to very significant breakthroughs in several areas. The contribution of ICAR scientists in the achievement of national self-sufficiency in foodgrains and diversity in food production is truly enormous.

"As you all know, the production of major crops has been at record levels in the year that has just been over. An estimated production of 236 million tonnes, or 241 million tonnes, which was given out by the honourable agricultural ministers, was achieved because of record production of wheat, maize and pulses. Oilseeds production also set a new record. I salute all our farmers and our agricultural scientists for these sterling achievements. I also compliment the State governments, particularly the Chief Ministers and State Agricultural Ministers, for their valiant efforts in increasing agricultural productivity and production.

"Nevertheless, the challenges that India's agriculture faces in the coming years remain enormous. Though we have achieved self sufficiency in cereal production, we continue to depend on imports for pulses and edible oils. We continue to face the problem of under-nutrition, particularly among our children and women. Ensuring food and nutritional security and eliminating hunger, including hidden hunger, remain a high national priority.