Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi addressing the farmers fair.
– Photo: Amar Ujala
Expansion
State Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi said that farmers have an important contribution in the self-reliance of the country. In return for their technology and hard work, we are becoming self-sufficient in food grains and exporting them. Eight hundred metric tons of fruits and vegetables have been exported from Varanasi in 15 months. Today farmers are moving towards becoming entrepreneurs.
He expressed these views at the inauguration of the three-day farmers’ fair organized for North-East India at the Indian Vegetable Research Institute, Shahanshahpur. The minister said that Uttar Pradesh is a state rich in cultural and natural resources. Therefore, there are more possibilities for development here. Therefore, farmers should emphasize on farming adapted to the changing climate. For this, take advantage of the ongoing research and development on agricultural resources. They said that
The state government is expanding agricultural and farmer useful works. 23 hundred FPOs are developing in the state. One lakh solar pumps will be given to farmers by December. Agricultural University will open in Kushinagar. KVK is being established, comprehensive improvement in marketing system, food processing is being increased. Special guest, ICAR former secretary and director general, Dr. Mangala Rai said that farming is still going on as before, but due to the successful strategy of the government, we are becoming prosperous. Agriculture provides livelihood to 55 percent of the population and contributes 15 percent to GDP. He emphasized on secondary agriculture, organic farming, propagation of microorganisms.
He said that there is a need to think about the effects of climate change, issues like organic products, food grain storage, agricultural marketing, processing and self-employment from agriculture, only then it can be tackled. Director of the institute, Dr. Tushar Kanti Behera stressed on the institute’s continuous work in the interests of farmers. ICAR Deputy Director General Dr. US Gautam, Assistant Director General Dr. Sudhakar Pandey also interacted with the farmers and informed them about the current challenges and also told them ways to deal with them.