Month long Krishi Mahotsav gets underway.
Success of Krishi Mahotsav has shattered the illusions of those who mislead farmers regarding Gujarat’s agricultural growth: CM
Today, farmers are interacting with agriculture universities and agriculture scientists: CM
Gujarat has maintained a growth rate of around 11% whereas the nation’s agricultural growth rate is mere 2.5%: CM
Through cattle health fairs about 100 animal diseases have successfully been eliminated from the State: CM
Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi today kicked off the month long Krishi Mahotsav at Manavadar in Junagadh district. He said that the success of the Krishi Mahotsav has shattered illusions of those who mislead farmers regarding Gujarat’s agriculture growth.
Shri Modi said that the times are such that the gains from Krishi Mahotsav no longer need to be explained- the farmers are well versed with it now. He said earlier people had some strong clichés about what ‘Utsavs’ were. ‘Utsavs’ were supposed to be casual fairs but Gujarat had successfully transformed ‘Utsavs’ to ‘Karm Mahotsav’. He said that in Gujarat, it is no longer the case that plans and schemes remain stuck to their files or in Gandhinagar. The Gujarat government has taken every scheme to the doorstep of the beneficiary; the Chief Minister pointed adding that gone are the days when schemes for widows and the poor remained merely on paper.
Shri Modi pointed out that earlier many farmers did not even know that there is an agriculture department to provide help during times of need. Krishi Mahotsav has changed that practice. Today, farmers are interacting with agriculture universities and agriculture scientists whenever they feel the need. This is unprecedented in Gujarat’s history. Through Gujarat’s efforts even dairy production has received an impetus in Gujarat.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister pointed out that Gujarat has maintained a growth rate of around 11% whereas the nation’s agricultural growth rate is mere 2.5%. Centre should compete with Gujarat on the front of development, rather than entering into conflicts with it, he said. The Chief Minister expressed dissatisfaction over Centre’s disapproval for putting gates on Sardar Sarovar dam. He said that there was a time when the issue of Dark Zone confronted Gujarat when ground water levels went down. But because of the massive water conservation efforts the water levels have increased by 3 to 13 meter. And so, the state government has lifted the Dark Zone restrictions from 57 talukas, he said.
Along with this eighth consecutive Krishi Mahotsav, the statewide cattle health fairs have also begun. The krishi-raths will move across all the 224 seats of Taluka Panchayat of the State. A team of 90,000, comprising officials of Agricultural department and Agriculture scientists will meet lakhs of farmers and provide them information and guidance about latest technology and methods in the field of agriculture.
The Chief Minister greeted the large turnout of farmers and felicitated Sardar Patel Krishi prize winner farmers. He also dedicated to people Junagadh Agriculture University’s veterinary college campus and Indoor Sports Complex.
Chief Minister said that the Rain God has bestowed his blessings on Gujarat during last decade. In addition, the farmers of Gujarat have greatly responded to water conservation campaigns. These efforts have made the Krishi Mahotsav successful.
Speaking about State’s water conservation initiatives and promotion of modern methods of farming the Chief Minister said that the nation’s agricultural growth was hindered because of the shortage water. But the water conservation initiatives of Gujarat have shown a new direction to the country. “Only the use of drip irrigation and the approach of ‘more crop per drop’ will make the farmers prosperous”, he said. Shri Modi said that in 50 years only 10,000 hectares of land had come under drip irrigation whereas in the last seven years, 4.5 lakh hectares were brought under drip irrigation. He asked the people gathered on the occasion to go to Banaskantha and see for themselves what drip irrigation can do in transforming agriculture.
The Chief Minister also spoke of soil health card and the initiatives in the field of dairy industry. He said that through cattle health fairs about 100 animal diseases have successfully been eliminated from the State.
Speaking on the occasion Agriculture Minister Shri Dilip Sanghani gave numeric details of the production of various crops. He also outlined the state government’s initiatives and achievements in the field of animal husbandry and dairy industry.
MLA Shri R.C. Faladu gave details of the success of Kisan Rath Yatra which was organized recently. He appealed the farmers to use newly developed seeds in farming and go for value-added farming.
Rajyasabha member Shri Purushottam Rupala, Minister of State Shri Vasanbhai Ahir and Minister of State for Agriculture Shri Kanubhai Bhalala also spoke on the occasion.
State Planning Commission Chairman Shri Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, Parliamentary Secretary Shri L.K.Rajani, former MP Shri Vijay Rupani, former Minister Shri Mohan Patel, District BJP President Shri Madhabhai Boricha, Junagadh’s former Mayor Ms. Jyotiben Vasani, MLA Shri Karsanbhai Odedara, Shri Pravinbhai Makadiya, Vandanaben Makwana, Shri Bhagawanjibhai Kargathiya, Shri Mahendrabhai Masharu, Shri Rajshibhai Jotava, Collector Shri Manish Bharadwaj, District Police Chief Shri Dipankar Trivedi and farmers in large number were present on the occasion.
