Radhanpur, 14 May 2013

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today announced a massive statewide competition in drip irrigation, starting from the village level to taluka and district levels, and running up to August 15, 2013.

Inaugurating the 9th statewide Krishi Mahotsav at Radhanpur in Patan district, he said that while efforts are on to encircle Gujarat with Narmada waters, it is in the fitness of things to apply scientific methods of agriculture optimum utilization of the last drop of the precious water. Drip irrigation is the best method to minimize input costs and maximize yields. It is the least backbreaking method of farming, too. He called upon the farmers to take part in the competition in large number.

While the Krishi Mahotsav will be held up to May 31, 2013, the Chief Minister is scheduled to join the Mahotsav at least four more zonal level Mahotsavs – for south Gujarat region at Bharuch on May 18, for Saurashtra region at Jamjodhpur on May 23 and central Gujarat region at Limkheda on May 27. Today’s was the first in the series. He launched the fortnight long festival after offering puja to cow and inaugurating an agricultural fair-cum-cattle health camp.

The Mahotsav, meaning a grand festival, is to popularize drip irrigation, animal husbandry and to the farming community right up to their farm gates in a movement of sorts, contributing to the economic growth of the state, particularly during the last decade vis-à-vis the previous four decades of the state’s formation.

One lakh government karma yogis, besides 800 agricultural scientists from four agricultural universities of the state, will brave the scorching summer heat to move with Krishi Raths to cover as many villages as possible during the Mahotsav.

Addressing a large gathering of farmers and cattle owners from the adjoining five districts in north Gujarat region, Mr. Modi asserted that Gujarat farmers have taken a lead in an agricultural revolution of sorts in India with best-possible farming methods. He warned his adversaries against trying to waylaid the farmers and spreading canards about Gujarat.

He will cover other places through cyber tour, covering as many villages as possible on Krishi Rath. He will felicitate progressive farmers in each zone.