Uttarakhand CM Dhami inaugurates 116th All India Farmers Fair and Agro-Industry Exhibition

Udham Singh Nagar (Uttarakhand) [India] October 4 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday inaugurated the 116th All India Farmers Fair and Agro-Industry Exhibition at Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar.
On this occasion, CM Dhami inspected various stalls and also virtually inaugurated Harela Garden. In the program, the CM Dhami honoured the progressive farmers who came from different districts by giving them mementoes and certificates.
CM Dhami congratulated the 116th Farmers Fair and Agro Industry Exhibition and said that he is feeling happy to come to this program organised by Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, which has made a distinct identity as the pioneer of the Green Revolution in India. He said that such farmer fairs play a very important role in the progress of the farmer brothers of the state, because through such agricultural fairs, scientists, farmers and entrepreneurs can exchange the latest technologies and various information related to agriculture at one place. Farmers get all the essential items related to agriculture, including advanced seeds, saplings, agricultural machinery and organic fertilisers, in one place. He expressed hope that our farmers will definitely benefit from the technical information being made available in this fair.
The CM Dhami said that this fair, which is organised every year, is actually a Kumbh of agriculture, which plays an important role in making the farmers prosperous by making them aware of modern technology. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, efforts are being made on a large scale to make the farmers of the country skilled, prosperous and equipped with modern amenities. Today, on the one hand, the use of technology and innovation is being promoted to increase the yield, while on the other hand, the Modi government is ensuring an increase in the income of farmers by giving them increased MSP on all major crops.
CM Dhami said that the PM Modi's commitment towards farmers can be gauged from the fact that this time when he took oath as the PM, the first thing he did was to sign the file allocating Kisan Samman Nidhi to the farmer brothers. Through the Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, today more than 8 lakh farmers of Uttarakhand are getting financial support, not only this, under the leadership of PM Modi, the central government has recently approved a total of seven new schemes costing about 14 thousand crore rupees with the aim of improving the standard of living of the farmer brothers and increasing their income. These schemes will benefit the farmers on a large scale.
CM Dhami said that with the inspiration of PM Modi, the state government is also working continuously with determination for the upliftment and prosperity of the farmers of the state. At present, loans up to three lakh rupees are being given to the farmers in the state without interest and with the aim of providing agricultural equipment to the farmers, subsidy of up to 80 percent is being given for purchasing agricultural equipment through the "Farm Machinery Bank" scheme. He said that farmers are being given a bonus of Rs 20 per quintal on wheat purchase, the rate of sugarcane has also been increased by Rs 20 per quintal. He said that the state government has made irrigation from the canal absolutely free for the farmers. Tea gardens Dhauladevi, Munsiyari and Betalghat are being converted into organic tea gardens. Work is being done to develop 6 aroma valleys to promote aromatic farming.
CM Dhami said that in this year's budget, a provision of Rs 200 crore has been made especially for the construction of polyhouses, which will increase the income of farmers as well as employment opportunities.
He said that to take rain-based farming to new heights in the hilly areas of Uttarakhand, "Uttarakhand Climate Responsive Rain-Fed Farming Project" has also been approved at a cost of about Rs 1000 crore. The government is also working at various levels to increase the production of fruits, under which Apple and Kiwi Mission has been started in the state with the aim of increasing the production of apple and kiwi on a large scale. Under the Apple Mission, 80 percent subsidy is being given to farmers planting apple orchards. The government is also helping in every possible way in setting up kiwi orchards.
CM Dhami said that Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology is continuously working to realize the resolution of "Unnat Krishi-Samriddh Kisan". He said that various species of crops, vegetables and fruits and many advanced agricultural techniques developed here are benefiting the farmers not only of Uttarakhand but the entire country. This Kisan Mela being organized today will definitely contribute significantly in the upliftment of farmer brothers. (ANI)