Taking a strong exception to the Centre’s discriminatory farm policy towards non-Congress ruled States, Chief Minister Narendra Modi today exuded confidence that Gujarat would continue to protect the farmers’ interests through programmes like Krishi Mahotsav.
Speaking at the Krishi Mela for the central Gujarat region at Godhra, he said the month-long Krishi Mahotsav was launched on the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya and is now being observed in every village. The focus here is on animal husbandry and horticulture, looking to the agro-climatic zone in central Gujarat.
Farmers need not take rounds of Taluka offices to get agriculture input kits, through Krushi Rath the kits are being distributed at the doorstep. Line departments have become proactive; they fill-up forms for various government schemes, also identifying right beneficiaries. It delivers other benefits also- The Sharatfer Orders, Vadi Yojana benefit, Khet Talavadi benefits.
Mr. Modi regretted that instead of taking a cue from the Gujarat’s success story, the Centre is indulging in pushing farmers of non-Congress ruled States to input scarcity regime, systematically creating a shortage of seeds, fertilizers, insecticides, water and electricity, denying the farmers remunerative prices, too.
He cited specific examples to drive home his points, like the Centre banning export of cotton to ruin farmers of the leading cotton-growing state like Gujarat. He had written a letter to the Prime Minister to lift the ban but he added that it is unlikely to happen. Now, he said, the Congress at the Centre is contemplating to stop giving credits to farmers.
Kheda and Anand district have got benefit of Kadana canal; however, farmers in the command area have determined to adopt drip irrigation. It has a very positive impact on the quality of the crop. It also saves water, energy and labour cost. Many farmers confirmed that they inject fertilizer with water; the fertilizer reaches directly to the roots, which saves the input cost.
He had earlier addressed Krish Melas for north and south Gujarat regions at Himatnagar and Motaponda respectively. Nearly one lakh karma yogis, including 700 agricultural scientists from the four state agricultural universities, are covering the 18,000 villages in the State during the Mahotsav, creating awareness about the latest developments in agriculture.
Agriculture Minister Dileepbhai Sanghani said that it was due to the Krishi Mahotsav being held for the last seven years to take the benefits of latest agricultural research to the farms that the state’s agricultural production has increased to Rs.58.000-crore. He said that nearly 2,700 animal fairs are also held in the state every year to check spread of diseases among the cattle.
He said that the Gujarat Government has allocated Rs.17,225-crore under the ambitious Vanbandhu Yojna for all round development of the tribal people living in the eastern belt of the state, extending from Ambaji to Umargam.
He described tribal farmers of Dahod having grown one lakh tonnes of ginger as one of the significant success stories of Krishi Mahotsav.
Minister of State for Roads and Building Jaydrathsinh Parmar welcomed the guests and Minister of State for Education Jaysinh Chauhan proposed a vote of thanks.
If one takes a glimpse on statistics- number of farmers got benefit of input-kits, other scheme benefits, equipment demonstration, and the sanitation drives- it may be a record that the State machinery has proactively reached up to every farmer.
Many farmers confess that if they grow millet in one hectare, they earn only Rs 15000/, but by cultivating banana, capsicum and other cash crops they have earned Rs 60,000/ to Rs 100000/ from the same soul. Their interactions with the scientists have given them an opportunity to gain knowledge, it has resolved many issues. It has helped put Gujarat among the fastest growing state having double digit growth rate in agriculture.
Prominent among those present on the occasion included Ministers of State Kanubhai Bhalala, Jashwantsinh Bhabhor, Parsottam Solanki, MPs Prabhatsinh Chauhan, Ramsinh Rathwa, Prabhaben Taviad, MLAs Arvindsinh Rathod, Fatesinh Chauhan, Jethabhai Bhrawad and Tusharsinh Maharaulji, Principal Agriculture Secretary R.K. Tripathy, In-charge Secretary J.P. Gupta, District Collector Milind Torwane, DDO Rashmikaben Patel, State Women Commission chairwoman Lilaben Ankolia and AAU Vice-Chancellor M.M. Shaikh, among others.
