Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched Swarnim Krushi Mahotsav-The enlightened agriculture -extension initiative- at Navsari today. He announced,”To net significant benefits for farmers, Gujarat and Maharashtra Governments have decided to interlink 5 rivers, MoUs are already signed. Plans are a foot to interlink major rivers like Par-Tapi- Auranga-Daman Ganga and Narmada, ushering in to blue-revolution. One of the most ambitious initiatives so far, it is likely to herald a revolution in agriculture sector. Outperforming Punjab’s green-revolution, farmers of Gujarat is all set to lead the 2nd Green Revolution of our nation.”
Launching Golden Krushi Mahotsav from Navsari, Chief Minister expressed his firm resolve that it provides golden opportunity to the youth to prove their mantle. It strategizes to immensely improve the yield, and it also opens up bright avenues of progress and prosperity.
Shri Narendra Modi said that the gains are far more; farmers have adopted innovations, sustenance of agriculture, nurturing natural resources and modern technologies. The outcome has positively influenced the policies of Union Government, giving directives to other States to follow similar initiatives like Soil-Health Card and mass water conservation movements.
The 6th Edition of Krushi Mahotsav was inaugurated by CM. He flagged off Krushi-Rath for 7 Districts of South Gujarat. Krushi Rath are to cover all 18000 villages, spreading awareness among farmers, providing know-how about how to select appropriate crop, technology, proper insights about animal husbandry. Farmers had gathered in large numbers to attend the Golden Krushi Mahotsav, which covers Surat, Tapi, Navsari, Bharuch, Narmada, Valsad and Dang Districts.
Chief Minister outlined the theme of Swarnim Krushi Mahotsav. Focus would be on increasing the yield, increasing the benefits of farmers. Agriculture sector has huge potential, it contribute a lot to our economy, added CM.
After six decades of Independence, no one had cared to find solutions for agriculture. Farmers who fed the society need solutions to his problems. Gujarat has modelled Krushi Mahotsav to find solutions to the problems faced by farmers, not only that experts and sundry economists are appreciating it. Farmers have turned to scientific methods in agriculture, said CM.
CM recalled the era when agriculture was considered as the best profession. But the neglect of past rulers had played havoc; the sector could not attract best brains. Now, situation has changed for better, Rural Youth is coming forward to get himself trained for modern agricultural techniques, scenario has truly changed, and they attach top priority to agriculture. Krushi Mahotsav has brought upon the transformation.
Management of aquifer and water resources is very vital; State has undertaken massive water -conservation drives by constructing check-dams Bori-Bandhs, Farm-ponds, and terrace-ponds, it has immensely improved the yields. Chief Minister hoped that Mission Mangalam is providing an opportunity to Matru Shakti, Gujarat is bound to capture global markets in the coming days.
Handful of people is opposing Krushi Mahotsav. Undeterred by it, farmers would take benefits of Krushi Mahotsav by welcoming Krushi-Rath at their village, gaining knowledge from scientists, finding solutions from them. He listed some of the boons of Krushi Mahotsav, which is going to open up bright avenues for the rural economy.
Agriculture Minister highlighted the success of Krushi Mahotsav- originally mooted by Chief Minister. On the auspicious day of Akshaya- Trutiya, the Mahotsav begins in all 18000 villages. Minister listed the advantages of Technical-labs which are set up at 60 A.P.M.C .Improved seed-varieties has maximized the production. Agriculture sector in Gujarat grew at phenomenal 10%, where as the national growth rate is just 4%.
Forest Minister Shri Mangubhai Patel detailed the achievements of Krushi Mahotsav. Under the guidance and support from agriculture-scientists, tribal-farmers have turned to horticulture; they have started reaping benefits of value addition and grading, added Minister.
State BJP President Shri R.C.Faldu also addressed the gathering.
Rajya Sabha M.P Shri Purushottam Rupala claimed that Gujarat is leading the nation in agriculture. He admired the vision of Chief Minister giving fight for BT. Cotton, as a result of that, State has registered multifold rise in cotton production, it rose from 25000 lakh bundles to 1.25 crore bundles. Krushi Mahotsav has served its purpose by maximizing the yield.
Earlier, delivering welcome address, Vice Chancellor Navsari University, Shri A.R.Pathak said that High Level Committees are coming to Gujarat to seek the outcomes of Krushi Mahotsav.
Deputy Chief Whip in the Assembly Smt Ushaben Patel, Parliamentary Secretary Shri Ishwarbhai Patel, Ex. Agriculture Minister Shri Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, M.P. Shri C.R.Patil, Shri Kanjibhai Patel, District Panchayat President Shilaben Patel, M.P.Shri Bharatsinh, MLAs Shri Laxmanbhai Patel, Shri R.C.Patel, Shri Dolatbhai Desai, Principal Secretary Agriculture Shri R.K.Tripathi, Secretary Shri Rajiv Gupta, Navsari Collector Shri D.P.Joshi were among the others who attended the inaugural function.