Punjab CM bats for up scaling communication services to develop of agriculture sector

Chandigarh, February 19, 2014: Farmers of the country should be sensitised with the modern technique and technology being used in the agriculture sector worldwide. In this endeavour, we need to extend communication services to the farming community, so that they can be enabled to use the modern technology for the development of the agriculture sector in the country.’ This was stated by Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, Punjab, while taking part in the brain storming session on the concluding day of the Progressive Punjab Agriculture Summit-2014 at Chappar Chiri.
Badal said that the Punjab Government has been criticized by different corners for extending free power to the peasantry in the state. He exclaimed that had this free power not been given the peasantry in the state would have been in debt trap worth Rs.60,000 crores. Ridiculing the disoriented economics policies of the union government, Mr. Badal said that the centre government is more concerned on decreasing the cost of the cars, mobile phones, ACs etc. but at the same time excise duty on the import of agriculture artifacts has not been curtailed.
Badal specifically mentioned that the Punjab Farmers’ Commission would extend subsidy to the farmers for drip/sprinkling irrigation. He said that the state of Punjab has successfully implemented the direct sowing of paddy. He urged the farmers not to burn the stubble on the agriculture land, which has posed many environmental challenges. He gave a clarion call to the peasantry of the state to rise to the occasion and be front runner in bringing white revolution in the country. He said that 50 per cent subsidy would be given to the women engaging in dairy farming occupation. Chief Minister applauded the services of internationally acclaimed agriculture scientist Dr. Sompal Sashtri. He urged Dr. Sashtri to render his services to render his services for the peasantry of Punjab. Mr. Badal was concerned about the suicides committed by the farmers at the same time he described the policies and services of the Punjab Government for the rehabilitation of the families of such deceased farmers.
Badal further said that yesterday, the Punjab Government has released grant of Rs. 65 crore for the rehabilitation of the families of such farmers, who have committed suicide.
Agriculture Scientist Dr. Sompal Sashtri, who has served as Union Agriculture Minister, exhorted the farmers of Punjab to be flag bearer in bringing new era of agriculture development in the country.
He expressed his views regarding the insurance of the crops, purchase of agriculture artifacts free of tax and on subsidy and increasing the union agriculture budget. Dr. Sashtri also urged the Punjab Government to bring about agriculture revolution on Chine model to eradicate unemployment from the state.
Taking part in the discussion, Dr. G.S. Kalcat, Chairman, Punjab State Farmers’ Commission said that agriculture now a day isn’t a profitable occupation. He appealed the peasantry to break the vicious circle of wheat-paddy cultivation instead the farmers should opt for agriculture diversification by focusing their skills to grow pulses, fruits and vegetables.
Dr. T. Hawk, Chairman for Agricultural Costs and Prices said that this oriented economic policies of the country is responsible for the plight of the farmers. He said that the input cost of the agriculture is ever increasing which resulted in less income for the farmers for their crops.
Dr. G.S. Khush, former Head, Plant Breeding Generating and Bio Chemistry, IRRI said that the farmer should opt for cash crops instead of cultivating such crops with less yield. He said that the peasantry should use bio techniques to increase the agriculture yield by 25 to 30 per cent.
Dr. V.K. Taneja, Vice Chancellor, GADVASU was of the view that farmers should also prepare the milk products instead of restricting themselves to the dairy farming only.//punjab news live, punjab news online, punjab news, punjab news headlines, punjab breaking news, india news, punjab news, world news,

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