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Hon’ble CM launches Krishi Mahotsav-2011 on Akshay Tritiya

Published By : Admin | May 6, 2011 | 12:57 IST

Friday: Even as the 7th ‘Krishi Mahotsav' is launched today, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi said the agricultural revolution of sorts has brought 13-lakh hectare of additional land under farming alongside establishing the state as Number One in systematic and scientific development of the farm sector, too, over this period.

Inaugurating the month-long statewide mahotsav at Akodara near Himatnagar in Sabarkantha district, Mr. Modi said the annual event to apprise the farmers about the latest developments in farming, irrigation, land fertility, cropping pattern and cattle rearing at their doorsteps is being celebrated as a mahotsav or festival.

Nearly one lakh government officers, employees and agricultural scientists accompany ‘krish raths' to cover all the 18,000 villages in 225 talukas in the scorching sun during the month. The festival held in cooperation with the farmers begins on the auspicious planetary confluence of ‘Akshay Tritiya' every year. This year, he said, it assumes special significance it being the state's golden jubilee year.

The Chief Minister dedicated the country's first-of-its-kind Animal Hostel, equipped with modern gadgets and management system, at Akodara.

He said the makeover in the agricultural sector began with water management, making nearly 13-lakh ha of barren land fit for farming. With the completion of Narmada Canal Project and Sujalam Sufalam Yojna, he hopes to raise the farmland by 20-lakh ha. Farmers are now taking three crops where they used to depend on the vagaries of the monsoon.

He said the State Government has accorded top priority to drinking water and water for innovative methods like sprinkler and drip irrigation, which not only saves wastage of water but also reduces soil erosion. He said that Gujarat is the only state which has given unique soil health cards to farmers to plan ahead which crop to grow in which soil condition. He congratulated the Khedbrahma APMC for its role in facilitating the use of 1,000 drip irrigation kits.

Mr. Modi exhorted the farmers to adopt more technology and value addition of agricultural produce to supplement their income. The developed nations earn fortunes by value addition of crops like castor, banana, cotton, tomato, potato and mango, exporting the value-added products to markets around the world. He said that MoUs for projects worth Rs.37,000-crore for agricultural value-addition were signed during the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors' Summit. He wished that agriculture attains the status of an industry.

Speaking on the occasion, Agriculture Minister Dileepbhai Sanghani said the state has attained 10 per cent growth in agricultural production, courtesy krishi mahotsavs.
Education Minister Ramanlal Vora said over 8,000 check dams, 610 farm ponds have been built in the district. The Rs.550-crore Vatrak-Majum-Meshwo project is on the cards.

District Guardian Minister Jashwantsinh Bhabhor said Sabarkantha could now boast of having the country's first Animal Hostel, Kandhenu University, as it also supplies the needs of almost the entire country's cotton seeds and stands Number Three in Dairy Plant.

Minister of State for Education Jaysinh Chauhan also spoke at the inaugural function, attended by Ministers of State Pradeepsinh Jadeja, Prafulbhai Patelm Purushottam Patel, MPs and MLAs of the region, Chief Secretary A.K. Joti, Principal Secretary (Agriculture) R.K. Tripathi, Gopalak Vikas Board Chairman Sanjay Desai, among others.

Shri Modi announces Rs.100 rebate on BT cotton seeds, 5-10% rebate on other seeds sold by Gujarat Seeds Corporation

Friday: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today announced a rebate of Rs.100 on each packet of BT cotton seeds and five to ten per cent rebate on seeds of some other kharif crops.

Inaugurating the annual Krishi Mahotsav at Akodara near Himatnagar in north Gujarat, Mr. Modi said the rebate would be on standard seeds sold by the Gujarat State Seeds Corporation (GSSC). He directed the authorities that farmers get the pure seeds in time and easily.

While the GSSC krishi raths reach the respective village, he said, each farmer would get maximum two packets of the seed at reduced prices.

The ten per cent rebate is on standard hybrid castor seed, and five per cent on tur, paddy, soyabean, til, urad and moong seeds.

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English translation of India's National Statement at the 21st ASEAN-India Summit delivered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
October 10, 2024

Your Majesty,

Excellencies,

Thank you all for your valuable insights and suggestions. We are committed to strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and ASEAN. I am confident that together we will continue to strive for human welfare, regional peace, stability, and prosperity.

We will continue to take steps to enhance not only physical connectivity but also economic, digital, cultural, and spiritual ties.

Friends,

In the context of this year's ASEAN Summit theme, "Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience,” I would like to share a few thoughts.

Today is the tenth day of the tenth month, so I would like to share ten suggestions.

First, to promote tourism between us, we could declare 2025 as the "ASEAN-India Year of Tourism.” For this initiative, India will commit USD 5 million.

Second, to commemorate a decade of India’s Act East Policy, we could organise a variety of events between India and ASEAN countries. By connecting our artists, youth, entrepreneurs, and think tanks etc., we can include initiatives such as a Music Festival, Youth Summit, Hackathon, and Start-up Festival as part of this celebration.

Third, under the "India-ASEAN Science and Technology Fund," we could hold an annual Women Scientists’ Conclave.

Fourth, the number of Masters scholarships for students from ASEAN countries at the newly established Nalanda University will be increased twofold. Additionally, a new scholarship scheme for ASEAN students at India’s agricultural universities will also be launched starting this year.

Fifth, the review of the "ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement” should be completed by 2025. This will strengthen our economic relations and will help in creating a secure, resilient and reliable supply chain.

Sixth, for disaster resilience, USD 5 million will be allocated from the "ASEAN-India Fund." India’s National Disaster Management Authority and the ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance Centre can work together in this area.

Seventh, to ensure Health Resilience, the ASEAN-India Health Ministers Meeting can be institutionalised. Furthermore, we invite two experts from each ASEAN country to attend India’s Annual National Cancer Grid ‘Vishwam Conference.’

Eighth, for digital and cyber resilience, a cyber policy dialogue between India and ASEAN can be institutionalised.

Ninth, to promote a Green Future, I propose organising workshops on green hydrogen involving experts from India and ASEAN countries.

And tenth, for climate resilience, I urge all of you to join our campaign, " Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” (Plant for Mother).

I am confident that my ten ideas will gain your support. And our teams will collaborate to implement them.

Thank you very much.