Chouhan launches ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ unveils, development works worth Rs 369.66 crores
Garhwal Post Bureau
Rudrapur, 26 June: Rudrapur, 26 June. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today inaugurated the Khet Bachao Abhiyan programme organised by the Agriculture Department at Gandhi Maidan, here. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Agriculture and Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi and District In charge Minister and Transport and Information Technology Minister Pradeep Batra were also present on this occasion. On this occasion, nine development projects worth Rs 46.32 crores were also dedicated while foundation stone was laid for 32 projects worth Rs 323.34 crores, making a total of Rs 369.66 crores in development works.
Addressing the gathering on this occasion, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that only when the farms and fields are saved, land can be saved, when land is saved, the earth will be saved, and when the earth is saved, life can remain secure. He urged the farmers to conserve soil, use fertilisers judiciously and protect natural resources, emphasising that land is not merely a medium of production but it is mother earth whose preservation is everyone’s responsibility. He asserted that the role of the agriculture minister is to serve the farmers as their foremost servant and that service to the farmers remains his highest priority. He noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India today ranks first in rice production globally and continues to set new records in agriculture.
Chouhan observed that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of the present time, and asserted that under the guidance of the PM Modi, the country will successfully overcome every challenge. He said that Uttarakhand is advancing rapidly in agriculture and horticulture and will soon establish a new identity as a horticulture hub, with full support from the Government of India. Announcing new initiatives, Chouhan declared that a Clean Plant Centre will be set up at Mukteshwar at a cost of Rs 100 crores for the production of high quality fruit plants including apple, walnut and almond. Assistance of up to Rs 4 crores will be provided for large nurseries and Rs 2 crores for small nurseries. A Centre of Excellence will be established at Chaubatia, Almora at a cost of Rs 15 crores, and a special plan of Rs 15 crores is being prepared with New Zealand’s cooperation to promote kiwi cultivation in Uttarakhand.
He further announced an amount of Rs 65 crores for fencing to protect crops from wild animals and Rs 104 crores for automatic weather stations to provide farmers with accurate weather information in time, thereby making the Prime Minister’s Crop Insurance Scheme more effective. He urged the farmers to take maximum benefit of the scheme and to use fertilisers judiciously based on soil testing only. He emphasised that natural and organic farming will help preserve the soil fertility and secure productive land for future generations.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that healthy farmers, healthy soil and a healthy agricultural system are the strong foundation of a developed India and a developed Uttarakhand. He stressed that Khet Bachao Abhiyan is not merely a government programme but a people’s movement for the secure future of coming generations. He noted that under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, the Centre has taken historic decisions to strengthen agriculture, with schemes such as the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, PM Crop Insurance Scheme, promotion of natural farming, agricultural infrastructure and the Digital Agriculture Mission bringing wide benefits to farmers.
Dhami said that farmers are the foundation of the country’s food security and economy. If soil health is affected, the agricultural production and human health will also suffer. He urged the farmers to conduct regular soil testing and use fertilisers as per scientific advice, while adopting natural and organic farming. He highlighted that the state government is providing interest free agricultural loans up to Rs 3 lakhs, free irrigation through canals and up to 80 per cent subsidy on agricultural machinery under the Farm Machinery Bank Scheme. A rainfed farming project has also been approved to strengthen rain dependent agriculture in hill areas.
Dhami added that the government is also effectively implementing schemes to promote fruit, vegetable and horticultural production, expanding modern facilities such as polyhouses, cold storage, cold chains, CA storage and mega food parks to ensure better value for farmers’ produce. Efforts are being made to provide national and international markets for local agricultural products. He emphasised that while the government can provide schemes and resources, lasting change in agriculture is possible only through active participation of farmers, urging them to protect soil health, adopt natural farming and pledge to preserve fertile land for future generations.
State Agriculture Minister Ganesh Joshi welcomed the guests and the farmers and he also announced a provision of Rs 65 crores for fencing, Rs 10 crores for organic farming and requesting declaration of minimum support price for mandua and jhangora.
Among those present at the event included Nainital MP Ajay Bhatt, MLAs Shiv Arora, Trilok Singh Cheema and Banshidhar Bhagat, District Panchayat Chairman Ajay Maurya, Mayor Vikas Sharma, Deepak Bali, Lal Batti holders Anil Kapoor Dabbou, Hukam Singh Kunwar, Ranjit Singh Namdhari and Uttam Dutta, District President Kamal Jindal, Manoj Pal, Secretary Dr SN Pandey, District Magistrate Nitin Singh Bhadauria, Senior Superintendent of Police Ajay Ganpati, Chief Development Officer Divesh Shasni, Additional District Magistrate Kaustubh Mishra, Pankaj Upadhyay and numerous public representatives, officials, farmers and citizens.
