New Delhi: Giving the mantra of natural farming with technology to farmers, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said that the need of the hour is to adopt technology-based agriculture with modern techniques. He reiterated increasing self-reliance in the field of cow-based natural farming for the benefit of farmers.
Addressing the ‘Review Conference for Rabi Productivity’ of four divisions including Gorakhpur, Basti, Azamgarh and Devipatan, Yogi Adityanath said, “Cow-based natural farming and utilisation of technology is the need of the hour to enhance agricultural yield and to benefit crop-growers the most. The farmers should move towards horticulture, vegetable farming and mixed cropping to suit present market demand and compatibility of the agro-climatic zone.”
He further said that Uttar Pradesh is the largest state in the country in terms of population having agriculture as a major source of income. “UP has the most fertile land with the best water resources. It is due to the fertility of the land and water resources that despite having 12 percent of the country’s total cultivable land, our state solely contributes 20 percent to the country’s food grain production,” he pointed out.
The state’s current agricultural productivity can be increased up to three times. By using good quality seeds and technology, agricultural productivity can be enhanced at lower costs. UP is number one in the whole country in terms of wheat production. The government is ensuring farmers’ welfare through the provision of seeds and water on time, and through Krishi Vigyan Kendras in every district. Crop insurance scheme has also been implemented for the farmers, added the CM.
Maintaining that the government remained dedicated to the upliftment of the farmers even during the Covid-19, the Chief Minister said that the productivity of agriculture increased even during the pandemic. The farmers fed the entire country and under the leadership of PM Modi, 80 crore people in the country and 15 crore people in Uttar Pradesh were given free ration twice a month.
The government operated all the sugar mills and payment of over Rs 1.80 lakh crore was made to the sugarcane farmers. The sugar mills of Pipraich and Munderwa have also been made functional for the benefit of farmers, added Yogi.
The Chief Minister went on to say that, “The Saryu canal project has ensured irrigation on additional land in nine districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh. In order to increase the facility of irrigation along with running the scheme of tube wells on a large scale in every district, solar pumps are being installed under PM Kusum Yojana.”
The Chief Minister directed the District Magistrates of all the districts to open adequate number of paddy purchase centers as per the demand of the farmers. He informed that so far about 3 lakh metric tonnes of paddy has been procured in the state.
On this occasion, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also visited the agricultural exhibition being held at the venue. The exhibition showcases a wide variety of products at different stalls set up by the departments of Agriculture, and Horticulture, among others. The Chief Minister also honoured the beneficiaries of various agricultural schemes.
