“When I was listening to the observation of Shri Sharad Pawarji, my mind went back to early 70's when another distinguished son of Maharashtra Shri Y. B. Chavan, the then Finance Minister while presenting the Budget for 1974, (it was one of the worst financial crisis in that year),.............., made his observations that whole Indian economy is moving around food, its production, procurement and distribution and I wish if I could have attained self-sufficiency in food production.

After almost four decades, under the dynamic leadership of another illustrious son of Maharashtra, India has not only achieved self-sufficiency in food grains but had the distinction of being the highest producer of rice recognized by IRRI, for two consecutive years. I take this opportunity of placing on record our appreciation to the leadership of Shri Sharad Pawar in stewarding the Agricultural Ministry during the UPA-I and UPA-II. You have ensured that Indian agriculture stands on a firm footing. The humiliation which as a young man I had to see that Indian Food Ministers in the 50's and 60's moving from one country to country with a begging bowl, sometimes grains from USA under PL-480 or sometimes grains from other countries under bilateral cooperation, you have saved (us) from humiliation.”

- Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Hon'ble President of India

85th Foundation Day of ICAR, New Delhi, 16th July 2013