Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that a new agricultural revolution is needed and that scientists from Hisar's Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCS HAU) and Maharana Pratap Horticultural University, Karnal, should collaborate to develop new genres.
Speaking at the Haryana Krishi Vikas Mela at CCS HAU in Hisar, Khattar stated that the government is ready to support these top universities in any way possible so that research work is not hampered. "This desired research work will not only ensure a reduction in agricultural costs, but will also improve the quality of yield produced, which will play a pivotal role in increasing farmers' income," he added. According to the chief minister, Haryana accounts for only 2% of the national population but accounts for nearly 10% of defence spending.
"The government has formed an export promotion council, and this initiative will be taken in the coming time to start cargo flights from Maharaja Agrasen Airport, Hisar, so that fresh fruits and vegetables grown by local farmers can be exported to Arab countries," the CM said.
Khattar urged agricultural scientists to conduct research on the subject in order to adopt the best methods for achieving a high yield at a low cost, with an emphasis on improving seed variety. "The excessive use of chemicals and pesticides has harmed the quality of food grains. Adopting natural farming is an urgent necessity.
The state government is providing various types of subsidies to encourage natural farming. Farmers should plant cash crops such as fruits, flowers, and vegetables, as well as shift to beekeeping, animal husbandry, and fisheries," the CM added. According to Khattar, the government is providing farmers with a subsidy of up to 85% for micro irrigation.
"Groundwater recharge borewells are being installed. In the first phase, we intend to install 1,000 recharging borewells. The farmer must only pay 25,000 for this; the rest of the costs will be borne by the government," he added. Khattar stated that his government has transferred 52,000 crore of various subsidies directly to farmers' accounts, saving the government approximately 1,200 crore.
"Every farmer should upload complete crop details to the Meri Fasal, Mera Byora portal. Our government has increased agriculture spending six times. The gaushala budget has risen from 40 crore to 400 crore. A total of 6,000 crore has been distributed to farmers through the crop insurance scheme. In addition to providing compensation of Rs. 4,000 crore to farmers whose crops were not covered by the crop insurance scheme," he added.
Earlier, during the Jan Samvad programme, the chief minister interacted with Hisar residents and heard their complaints. Following a complaint, Khattar directed officials to uphold the promotion of patwari Ram Avtar Sharma, who was assigned to Narnaund, for demanding money from people who came to obtain a copy of their land details.
"In the eight years, we have received 13 lakh complaints on the CM window, of which 10 lakh complaints were sorted out. There are errors in the Parivar Pehchan Patra, and officials are working to correct them," Khattar said. The CM also took the aerial route to assess Hisar Airport's readiness.
