With Punjab and Haryana being blamed for causing pollution by stubble burning, Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh today asked farmers of both the agrarian states to use machinery as much as possible in order to stop the practice of crop residue burning.
The minister also urged both Punjab and Haryana to use water judiciously for farming in the wake of declining underground water table in both the states.
Asserting that the Modi government at the Centre had framed several plans for pushing the growth of the agriculture sector, the minister expressed commitment that the farmers' income would be double by 2022.
Singh was addressing a gathering at the CII Agro tech 2016 event which was inaugurated by President Pranab Mukherjee, with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin as the guest of honour.
"In order to prevent stubble burning, machinery was playing a big role and I am happy that in last few years, machinery was being promoted by the government and the government was promoting its use and was giving subsidy of 40 per cent on its purchase," he said.
"I want to request farmers of Punjab and Haryana to use this machinery as much as possible to prevent crop burning and boost crop productivity," he said.
Noting that Punjab and Haryana had played a big role in bringing green revolution in the country, the union minister however expressed concern over the depleting water table particularly in both states.
"Throughout country and particularly in both states, water table is declining and we know that the water availability is limited and there is need to use it judiciously," the minister said adding that the Modi government had made several schemes for water conservation.
He also took a dig at the previous government at the centre by alleging that over 100 schemes pertaining to agriculture had remained suspended for 20-25 years.
He said a Gram Sinchai Yojana had been launched by the government in order to provide water to the fields.
While lauding both the states, he said Punjab and Haryana had prepared plans under Gram Sinchai Yojana for four and seven districts respectively.
He further said that work on Patiala feeder which had remained suspended for past several years has also been included in these schemes.
He said that Modi government has started giving soil health cards to farmers.
He claimed the government has also streamlined the distribution of urea, saying that earlier, farmers used to make hue and cry over getting fertilisers.
"Now, there is no shortage of urea and neem coated urea is being given to farmers," he said.
He said the government is taking several steps to enhance the income of growers.
The union minister said that to enhance the income of growers, a national e-mandi project was launched this year. So far, 250 markets in the country have been linked and by December, more than 500 markets would be linked with the E-mandi platform.
Stating that the country is the biggest producer in milk production, Singh said the government has started Gokul mission in order to improve the domestic cow breed.
He said the growth of milk production in the country is 4.2 per cent which was more than the world's average of 2.2 per cent.
"The output of foreign breed cattle is expected to drop in future while our 80 per cent cows in the country give only 20 per cent milk. A national Gokul mission has been set up wherein breed of these cows will be improved," he said.
Two Gokul Grams would be set up in Nabha and Patiala of Punjab and two in Hisar of Haryana, he said.
He further said that because of Modi government's efforts, fish production in the country achieved 7 per cent growth.
He said that several steps were being taken by the government to double the income of farmers. "We will surely be able to double farmers' income by 2022," he said.
The government has set up a committee to give recommendations on how to raise farmers' income.
"Four meetings of this committee have already been held and its recommendations are also being implemented," he said.
He claimed that the government would be able to achieve 4 million tonne target of pulses in current fiscal.
"We could not achieve the production target of 4 million tonne fixed in 12th five year plan. But after the implementation of this committee, we will be able to cross the 4 million tonne pulses output target in 2016-17 and additional five million tonne will be produced. In next 3 years, we will be self dependent on pulses," he claimed.
He said that earlier, it was considered that if MSP was raised, the income of farmers would grow. "But MSP was one of the factors in raising the income of farmers. Unless we take more steps, income will not grow," he said.
