Solan(QNN)
The scientists must ensure that the research done in the laboratories of Universities and various other institutions must be transferred to the fields to benefit the farmers and horticulturists of the State. This was stated by the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while presiding over the 12th Biennial National Krishi Vigyan Kendra Conference at Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni in Solan district. As many as 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras from all over the country and more than thousand scientists and farmers from different States are participating in this two day event on ‘Natural Farming and Other Sustainable Farming’ techniques.
Chief Minister said that the State of Himachal Pradesh and farmers of the State were hard-working and were ahead of other States of the country in adopting new technologies. He also appreciated the efforts of the former Governor of the State and present Governor of Gujarat Acharya Devvrat, in promoting natural farming in the State. He said that excessive use of chemical fertilizers was very harmful. Within three months of coming to power, the present Government started ‘Prakritik Kheti Khushal Kisan Yojana’ in the State for the long term welfare of the farmers and made a budget provision of Rs. 25 crore for promotion of natural farming and about over 1.71 lakh farmers have adopted natural farming in the State, he added.
Jai Ram Thakur said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also appreciated the efforts of Himachal Pradesh in promoting natural farming on various platforms. He said that the Union Government also made special provision in the Union Budget for promoting natural farming in the whole country. He said that excessive use of chemical fertilizers have reduced the production power of the soil, which was a matter of concern. We are working to make Himachal Pradesh chemical free in farming sector in a phased manner and are moving towards making the State a natural farming State in the coming 15 years he added.
Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisioned doubling the farmer’s income by the end of this year. He said that Prime Minister has also stressed on crop diversification only then the income of the farmer’s could be increased. He said that even during the corona pandemic, the agriculture economy gave big support to the economy of the country. He said that due to the adoption of advanced farming technologies and tireless efforts of the scientists of this University, today the agriculture, horticulture and vegetable production by the farmers was contributing about Rs. 10,000 crore to the GDP of the State. He said that the State Government would also endeavour to provide better marketing facilities to the farmers to sell their natural products.