Sunday, 14 May 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
CM inaugurates 4-day Shri Anna Mahotsav in Doon
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the State government is working through government schemes to encourage millet farming in mountainous regions of Uttarakhand and facilitating employment opportunities. The government is purchasing coarse grains like mandua, jhangora and chaulai at minimum support price from the farmers of mountainous regions and the farmers are being paid online for this. This is not only increasing the income of farmers but also encouraging cultivators for producing millet products. The chief minister said this after inaugurating the four-day Shri Anna Mahotsav (millet festival) at the Survey Stadium here on Saturday. A large number of farmers from across the State are participating in this event. The chief minister also went around the event venue and visited various millet-based stalls.
Addressing the gathering, Dhami said that this event will prove to be a milestone for encouraging millets. Such events not only encourage the cultivation of coarse grains but also provide farmers with various important information related to coarse grains. He said, “The year 2023 is being celebrated as the year of millets in India. At the behest of India, the United Nations also declared this year the International Year of Millets. ‘Shri Anna’ is not limited only to farming or consumption because wherever there is ‘Shri’ there is prosperity and wholesomeness which is why Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed millets as Shri Anna. It is becoming a means for the integrated development of India as the village and the poor are connected with it and now all citizens of the nation are also getting connected to it. Millets are rich in both nutritious and medicinal values,” he said.
Regarding steps taken by the State government, Dhami said that a sum of about Rs 73 crore has been allocated to the State millet mission to encourage millet crops and its inclusion in the diet of the general public. Along with organic farming, the implementation of the national mission on natural farming is being started in 11 districts of the State from this year. The government of India has granted approval to farming mission programme works amounting to about Rs 796 lakh on 6,400 hectare land for this purpose. The Mukhyamantri Prakritik Krishi Yojana and Namami Gange Prakritik Krishi Corridor schemes are also being used to maximise the farming area in the State under natural farming, he said. The CM also exhorted the people to use millets on folk festivals and other festive occasions.
Uttar Pradesh Agriculture minister Surya Pratap Shahi said that Uttarakhand is the capital of coarse grains. He appreciated the provision of MSP for millet farmers and incentives for women self help groups for this purpose.
The State’s Agriculture minister Ganesh Joshi said that the MSP for mandua has been set at Rs 35.78. Women self help groups get an incentive of Rs 1.50 per kilogramme for purchasing mandua from the farmers. He also spoke about steps being taken in the sphere of organic farming for which Uttarakhand has received the first prize for two consecutive years. The minister said that the State government has kept a target of doubling the millet and horticulture production by 2025.
