Addressing the Krishi Kumbh in Lucknow, via video conference the Prime Minister expressed confidence that this gathering of farmers would pave the way for new technology to be imbibed and better opportunities to be created in the agriculture sector.
The Prime Minister appreciated the State Government of Uttar Pradesh, for its efforts in augmenting substantially, the procurement of food-grains. He asserted that the farmers are the ones, who take the country forward.
Modi reiterated the Union Government’s commitment to double the income of farmers by 2022. In this context, he mentioned the series of steps that the Government is pursuing to reduce input costs and raise profits.
Prime Minister mentioned that a large number of solar pumps will be installed in farms across the country in the near future. He said the Government is working to deliver the benefits of science to agriculture. He said the Rice Research Centre being set up in Varanasi, is a step in this direction.
The Prime Minister also spoke of the importance of value addition in farming. He mentioned the steps being taken in the Food Processing Sector. He said that after the Green Revolution, the emphasis now is on milk production, honey production, and also on poultry and fisheries.
The Prime Minister called for discussions on matters such as judicious use of water resources, better technology for storage, and use of latest technology in farming, during this Krishi Kumbh. He emphasized the need to evolve new technologies and ways that will help eliminate the need for farmers to burn crop stubble (Parali).
Nicknamed International Krishi Kumbh 2018 and originally a brain child of UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the 3 day event is being coordinated by the Union Agriculture Ministry also. All the top officials of the Ministry including the Union Minister Radha Mohan Singh were present on the occasion.
More than 10 thousand farmers participated in the Krishi Kumbh which aimed at increasing farm production. Agri experts, scientists, and farm-related entrepreneurs were also present.
Interestingly, Israel and Japan are official partners of the event and the Yogi govt is slated to sign a MoU with Japan for investment in the agricultural and allied sectors. The representatives of the two countries would also be there.
Two BJP ruled states-Haryana and Jharkhand are also participating in the event. Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister is slated to be the chief guest of the closing ceremony.