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Small farmers need to be helped with tech at ground level, says Tomar
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Wednesday, 10 July, 2019, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, New Delhi
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There are new challenges in agriculture. Small farmers need to be helped with technology at the ground level so that input costs can be reduced. Farmers should test their soil regularly, and there is a need to speed up the pace of organic farming.
These were among the observations of Narendra Singh Tomar, minister for agriculture and farmers’ welfare, at the State Agriculture Ministers’ Conference, which took place in New Delhi recently.
“The farmers should be given proper price for their produce, agricultural marketing through e-NAM (the electronic national agricultural market) should be strengthened and agricultural exports should be increased,” he added.
Tomar, in his inaugural address, stated that this was the first conference with the states after the announcement of Union Budget 2019. He emphasised on the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for doubling of farmers’ income and urged the states to adopt various measures to reduce the cost of cultivation for better income generation for the farmers.
Thanking all the states for their significant contribution for self sufficiency in food grain production, he urged them to shift their attention from production oriented to market-oriented agriculture with specific focus on export of agricultural produce. He also asked the states to prioritise their efforts and facilitate farmers for judicious use of fertilisers based on report of the Soil Health Card.
The minister requested the states to create awareness among the farmers on water conservation practices through drip and sprinkler irrigation and water harvesting. He also emphasised on the need of states to develop a synergy with the Centre for better implementation of farmer welfare schemes and programmes at field level. Tomar also requested the states for their suggestions and feedback with regard to policy directions.
Sanjay Agarwal, agriculture secretary, briefed the ministers about the objective of organising this conference at the onset of the Kharif season. Expressing his gratitude to the states for the success of PM Kisan, the secretary said that the states have done a commendable job in a short span.
The agriculture ministers from 12 states were present along with senior officials from other States. The morning session of the day-long conference had presentations on PM Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM Kisan), PM Kisan Maan Dhan Yojna, Kisan Credit Card (KCC), PM Fasal Bima Yojna (PMFBY), e-NAM, Organic Farming and Market Reforms.
This session was followed by an interactive session with state agriculture ministers and with senior officials from states.
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