Chandigarh, October 10- Haryana Chief Minister, Sh Manohar Lal said that Haryana remains committed to the welfare of its farmers. He also praised the farmers for their exceptional contributions, not only in the realm of agriculture but also across various fields.
The Chief Minister was addressing the farmers during the closing ceremony of Haryana Agricultural Development Fair at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University in Hisar today. During the event, he went around and exhibition and gained insights into various agricultural equipment, fertilizers, and seeds.
Speaking on this occasion, he highlighted the annual agricultural fair as a valuable platform for enhancing farmers' knowledge about innovation and technology. Describing Haryana as a farmer-oriented state, the Chief Minister said that farmers have made a lot of progress in the field of agriculture. Farmers have started cultivating cash crops along with new crops. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to incentivize and educate farmers on farming techniques and technology. Haryana is today moving on the path of progress in terms of development. Farming is our life and wrestlers are our pride, he added.
The Chief Minister took pride in the accomplishments of the state's farmers and their children, who have brought glory to Haryana. He mentioned that in the recent Asian Games, Haryana's players secured an impressive 30 percent of the medals.
The Chief Minister said that in today’s era, new technology and mechanization are being used extensively in farming. He applauded the efforts of agricultural scientists, particularly those at CCSHAU, Hisar for their role in developing new seed varieties that have boosted crop production.
Calling upon the farmers to get the soil and water of their fields tested, he said that this will give them information about the crops growing in their fields and which fertilizer is appropriate to use. The Chief Minister urged farmers to embrace crop diversification, with the government offering incentives, including Rs 7,000 per acre to promote the cultivation of crops other than paddy, as part of water conservation efforts.
Regarding crop procurement, the Chief Minister assured farmers that the state government is committed to purchasing their produce at the minimum support price, and in some cases, through Bhawantar Bharpai Scheme. Currently, HAFED is buying millet crops at Rs 2200 per quintal, with an additional benefit of Rs 300 per quintal under the Bhavantar Bharpai Scheme for farmers. He stressed the importance of enhancing both crop quantity and quality and encouraged farmers to explore natural farming practices.
Supreme Court gives approval regarding SYL canal
Expressing his gratitude to the Supreme Court, the Chief Minister underscored that the court has affirmed Haryana's rights concerning the SYL Canal. He reassured that the canal would unquestionably be constructed in compliance with the Supreme Court's directives. The Chief Minister also called attention to the dual stance of the Aam Aadmi Party on the SYL Canal issue, asserting that the farmers of Haryana understand those doing double-faced politics and their double-faced politics will not work here. He firmly stated that the SYL Canal is Haryana's rightful claim, and its implementation will align with the Supreme Court's decision.
During the event, Agriculture Minister Sh JP Dalal sadi that a Kisan mela will be organized in Hisar on the lines of Surajkund Fair in future with the aim of disseminating the latest agricultural research and technology to farmers. The government has taken concrete and positive steps towards the development of the agriculture sector, achieving more progress in a short span than in the past two decades. Approximately 8 lakh acres of land in the state are affected by waterlogging (sem-grast), and this year, there is a target to improve 70,000 acres. In addition, a fasal mandi spanning 550 acres in Ganaur, with an investment of Rs 2600 crore, will be developed. Tenders have already been issued for this development project, and its completion is expected to generate employment and self-employment opportunities for thousands of youth in the state. Furthermore, the government is set to purchase 200 ambulance vehicles for the treatment of sick animals, with orders for 70 vehicles already placed.
Farmer Bharat Singh of Mohankheda village of Jind district got Johndeere tractor
The Chief Minister conducted a lucky draw to distribute prizes, with farmer Bharat Singh from Mohan Kheda village in Jind district winning a John Deere tractor valued at Rs 750,000. Ajit Singh from Kirdhan village in Fatehabad district received a tractor in reward worth Rs 350,000, Surjeet from Tibbi village in Fatehabad district was awarded a land leveler machine worth Rs 250,000, Gurpinder Singh from Ganga Abdul village in Punjab received a super seeder machine valued at Rs 1,75,000 and farmer Ankit from Darori village in Jind district was presented with a electric power weeder machine worth Rs 74,000.
Three books released for the upliftment of farmers and agriculture
In the closing ceremony of the Haryana Agricultural Development Fair, the Chief Minister unveiled three books compiled by Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University.
MLA Vinod Bhayana, MLA Jogiram Sihag, MLA Laxman Napa, Chairman of Haryana Public Enterprises Bureau Subhash Barala, Chairman of Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board Aditya Devi Lal, Principal Secretary of Agriculture Department Vijayendra Kumar, Vice Chancellor of CCSHAU Dr BR Kamboj, and Director of Agriculture Department Dr. Narhari Singh Bangar also present on this occasion.