The Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Narendra Singh Tomar called for retention of talent in agriculture sector. While inaugurating the Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela-2020 on 1st March 2020, Tomar said that India has many agricultural scientists as well as specialists graduating from universities every year. He said, “Government can give funds, subsidies & incentives, but there has to be an interest in farming. For this farming has to be made a profitable venture. It should fulfill the country’s needs, its share in GDP & exports should rise”.
Tomar further said, “Your purpose in career does not end with securing a comfortable job or just remain engaged in education & research, but you must be a successful farmer in your area. Those agriculturists retiring every year should remain involved in farming & inspire others. Farmer must remain alive in you. You may engage in farming in your kitchen garden in your spare time. It will keep you connected with agriculture as a profession”.
He said PM Modi also launched the registration of 10,000 new FPOs in order to promote cooperative farming. Budgetary provision of Rs. 6,600 crore has been made to provide each farmer producer organization a sum of Rs. 15 lakh for all farming related activities like sowing, harvesting, distribution & marketing. A Credit Guarantee Fund of Rs.1,500 crore has been created jointly by NCDC & NABARD for this purpose.
Stressing that the Government & Agriculture Institutes are committed to promote Agriculture, MoS Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Kailash Choudhary expressed hope that a day will come when farmer will no longer be a borrower but become a creditor.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Parshottam Rupala asked to organize such Farmers’ Fairs in every state. Rupala urged the Agriculture Institutes & scientists to ensure that superior seeds are provided to growers at reasonable rates.
Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra ICAR Director-General said that a large number of farmers take part in the Kisan Vigyan Mela and purchase superior quality seeds developed by ICAR institutes.
Tomar along with other dignitaries also released ICAR publications.
Huge crowd was witnessed at Mahyco, VNR Nursery, Savanna seeds, Kribco, IFFCO, Indian Potash Ltd, NSC stalls in the mela.
