Thursday, 22 October 2020 | PNS | Dehradun
Chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat inaugurated the Integrated Model Agricultural Village scheme in partnership with NABARD in the state at Majri Grant, Doiwala in Dehradun on Wednesday.
Inaugurating the scheme, the CM congratulated the Agriculture minister Subodh Uniyal stating that the minister had worked on various new concepts. The integrated model village scheme is one such concept which will prove to be a milestone.
Speaking on the occasion, he stressed not the need for focus on irrigation and mechanisation in the mountainous regions of the state. He said that organic farming is a speciality of Uttarakhand which should be encouraged further. Rawat also elicited focus on the need for value addition and branding in order to double the income of farmers, adding that the state will soon start an umbrella brand. Referring to the Suryadhar lake project, he said that after the construction of the project gravity based irrigation and drinking water supply will be facilitated to 29 villages. The Jamrani and Saung dam projects will also be expedited for irrigation and drinking water, he added.
Addressing the gathering, the Agriculture minister said that though there had been slump in all spheres during the Covid pandemic, commendable work had been done in the agriculture sector. Both the State and Central governments are making consistent efforts for improvement in the agriculture sector. The State had also received the Krishi Karman award for its work. Uniyal requested the NABARD chairman GR Chintala to encourage mechanisation in Uttarakhand. He further informed that the state had enacted the Nursery Act in order to enhance the quality and ensure that farmers are able to get high quality plants.While the whole world is running after the organic concept, in Uttarakhand, agriculture is organic by default, he added.
State minister for Cooperatives, Dhan Singh Rawat informed that the state government had provided interest-free loan to four lakh farmers. Further, 12,000 women self help groups had also been provided interest free loan of Rs five lakh each.
NABARD chairman GR Chintala said that even amidst the Covid pandemic, there had been a rise in the agriculture sector. He said that in order to facilitate improvement in this sector, Uttarakhand should focus on organic farming.
