Period of procurement of pulses at MSP extended: PM at Bajipura

Bajipura (Gujarat): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced that his government has extended the period of procurement of Dalhan crops (pulse beans) at minimum support price by one week.

Addressing a meeting here on the occasion of Inauguration and laying of foundation stones for various projects of Rs 400 of the SUMUL dairy including that of a cattle feed plant, ice cream, milk powder unit and Rs 958 crore water supply project of the state government, Modi said that he had requested the farmers to sow Kathod (pulse-beans) crops in at least some portion of their fields in the wake of the rising prices of Tuver (Arhar) and other pulses.

‘You know that hardly a week after the formation of my government at center by which time even the flowers of our victory garlands had not shrunk fully but they (the opposition) started crying like crows on the rising prices of pulses, even though it was a matter we had got as a legacy from the former government. But it it was put on our heads. They shouted that the pulses had vanished from the diet of poor,’ he said.

We mostly consume Tuver pulse which is not sowed at many places across the world. I had requested the farmers to go for production of at least some pulses so that this important source of protein would be available to poor without any problem. They took my words and I bow my head to them that they have done huge production this time. But as the monsoon last time was a bit late the crops were also sowed a bit late and so it was reaped also a bit late,’ he said.

‘Farmers had requested us to extend the date of procurement of pulses at support price through NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India). It is extended for seven more days so that they don’t face any difficulty,’ he said.

Modi on the occasion also praised the co-operative movement and various dairies including SUMUL in Gujarat and said that it has played an exemplary role in development of the tribal belt in the state from Umergam (in South Gujarat) to Ambaji (in North Gujarat). He said that without involving any political identity he praises all for making the cooperative movement successful in Gujarat.

He also urged the the male members of the society to join the business of milk production which is completely taken care of currently by woman folk. ‘We must also find ways to at least double the production of milk without increasing the number of cattle. Gujarat though is much ahead of other areas of the country in per capita milk production but it should be further increased so that per capita consumption/availability of milk increases and this nutritious drink is available to more and more families of poorer sections. He also suggested people to increase the production of crops with judicious use of water adopting techniques like drip irrigation.
He also suggested them to explore various cooperative ways to increase the earning and develop the area further including the production of solar power through panels on the boundaries of fields, use of dung and waste by village clusters and honey production along with milk. He said that at time when other parts of the country are craving for even kutcha roads in rural areas the farmers in tribal areas of Gujarat were seeking puccka connecting roads till their fields.

‘At a time when the fixing a hand pump in some areas of the country can ensure consecutive election wins for 2 to 3 terms, Gujarat is going to get rid of pumps and make piped supply of waters to all the places. He also suggested people to used water judiciously with the slogan ‘each drop more crop’. He said that the 958 crore water supply project would take the water to a height of 118 meter which was higher than a 50 storied building through a huge pipe line in which even a Maruti car can enter. It is such a difficult job,’ he said adding that by advanced thinking Dahod which was known for corn crops only is now a flower production hub which is supplied to Mumbai

He thanked people for attending the event in such a large number and also remembered his old days spent in Tapi district.

DeshGujarat