(HT)
Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Friday that the central and state governments together will make Uttarakhand a national hub of horticulture.
Chouhan said while participating in the Kisan Chaupal (gathering of villagers at village square or a communal area) organised at Pavwala Sauda village in Doiwala block of Dehradun. Sitting on a cot, he interacted with the farmers to understand the problems faced by them at the ground level. During this, he also planted a sapling under “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” (One tree for mother) campaign. The Kisan Chaupal was organised under “Vikasit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan”.
Chouhan said, “The central and state governments together will make Uttarakhand a national hub of horticulture. The quality of fruits, grains and vegetables of Uttarakhand is unique and they have full potential to make a mark at the global level.”
Chouhan said that farming will be made more profitable in the future by giving special emphasis on natural farming, technological innovation and water conservation.
While talking to the media, he said that by coming to the sacred Devbhoomi, the mind, intellect and soul are filled with a new energy. “Under the leadership of chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the state government is doing excellent work in the field of agriculture. The government of India, in collaboration with the government of Uttarakhand, will ensure that the farmers here not only get the benefit of modern agricultural techniques, but also get a market for their products at the national and international level,” he said.
Chouhan said that the government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to doubling the income of farmers and realising the vision of “Developed India”.
“I myself am from a farmer family, I know the pain of the farmer. That is why today I have come directly to the field and sat on the cot, so that I can know whether the benefits of the government schemes are reaching the ground or not. Direct communication with the farmers ensures their strong participation,” he added.
On this occasion, senior officials of the agriculture department, including state agriculture minister Ganesh Joshi, were also present.
In the Chaupal, farmers put forth their views related to seeds, irrigation, marketing, crop insurance scheme and fair price of agricultural products. Litchi, basmati rice, jackfruit and vegetable producers also shared their problems and gave suggestions for solutions.
After the Kisan Chaupal, the Union minister participated in a function at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie and Kisan Samvad (dialogue) programme at the Himalayan Cultural Centre, Nimbuwala, Garhi Cantt.
On May 5, Chouhan during his visit to Dehradun had lauded Uttarakhand’s performance in agriculture and rural development despite a shrinking agricultural land area. “Production has increased even though the cultivable area has reduced. We need a long-term action plan for sustainable agricultural growth,” he said.
