Raman Singh felicitates 'best' farmers, agriculture officers

Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], Aug. 29 (ANI): Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Monday felicitated 200 "best" farmers and agriculture officers at Indira Gandhi Agriculture University in Raipur. Speaking on the occasion, he said the Centre is now providing crop guarantee to the farmers as well as compensation on loss. "We have started many beneficial schemes for farmers like they are being given electricity subsidy," he said. He pointed out that cultivating paddy will not provide any profit to the farmers, adding that the state is now growing so much fruit and vegetables that it is now being exported. "Rice from here goes to 22 states..organic farming is better..the new generation is suffering the result of eating polluted and chemical laced food.fertiliser should be used in a certain quantity," he added. He further said the young generation is now developing an interest in agriculture and that they are now inclining towards agricultural colleges instead of engineering colleges. Singh also said there should be farmer training and presentation in every district, and eminent farmers should be called at 'Krishi Vigyan Kendras' at regular intervals to advice farmers on agricultural practices. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also reviewed the status of crops in low rainfall districts via a video conference. He called upon a meeting of District Collectors from low-rainfall districts, including Bemetara, Gariaband, Surajpur and Raipur, where he directed the officials to assist the farmers in every possible way. He also inquired about the level of water in reservoirs, irrigation pumps and the average rainfall. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Prem Prakash Pandey, Minister of Agriculture Brijmohan Agrawal, Chief Secretary Vivek Dhand and other senior officials were also present at the meeting. Singh asked the officials to prepare an emergency plan for helping the farmers if it does not rain for another 10 days. He also directed the district in-charge minister and secretary in charge of the affected districts, where there is a drought situation to ensure relief measures for farmers and villagers. (ANI)