Punjab stresses on need of diversification

Chandigarh, September 16, 2012: The Punjab Government has charted out a detailed programme to woo the farmers towards diversification in agriculture sector by promoting fruits, vegetables, oil seeds and pulses cultivation in the state besides Dairy Farming, Fish Farming and Poultry farming.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesman said that in view of steep hike in agri-inputs and reduction in the profits of traditional crops, the Punjab Government was laying stress upon the need of diversification. He said that for this purpose the state government has included four more districts in National Horticulture Mission including Mansa, Barnala, Moga and Ropar.

He said that now the farmers of these districts would also get the facilities were being provided by the NHM. He said that Integrated Farmer’s Training Center at Gurdaspur would also be helpful for the farmers to know about the ultra-modern techniques in diversified farming.

He also informed that world class AC Cargo centers would also be established to enhance the export of horticulture produces towards commonwealth and Middle East Countries.

The Spokesman said that launching a special drive for diversification, the State Government has setup a world class peri-urban vegetable cluster at Ludhiana. He said that due to depleting table of ground water, exorbitant hike in the cost of agri-inputs rendering the farming sector a non-profitable, it was the need of the hour to adopt diversification in true-spirit.

He said that according to the detailed programme of state government, a special campaign would also be launched to educate the farmers towards allied-agro business including Dairy Farming, Poultry Farming and Fish Farming apart from Horticulture to assure sustainable income in rural belts.

The Spokesman said that besides issuing necessary directions to all the concerned authorities in this regard, the Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal has also assured that all essential facilities would be provided to farmers. He said that ground pipelines were also being laid for the facilitation of farmers in water logged areas and South West Districts of Punjab since the ground water there was not fit for irrigation purposes.

He said that funds have been earmarked for providing medicines in veterinary hospitals, poly clinics to prevent the milch-cattles from chronic diseases.