Gandhinagar

Chief Minister Anandiben Patel today called for judicious use of natural resources, combining optimum use of water and modern farming, to combat adverse effects of Global Warming.

Inaugurating the 12th Krishi Mahotsav for the southern Gujarat region from Navsari, she said that incentives to farmers have helped increase area under drip irrigation from one lakh hectares to 12 lakh hectares. Similarly, she said, growing popularity of vermin compost would help the state farmers export their produces in the global market.

She said the loan interest to farmers which was proposed to be reduced to historic low of one per cent with simplification of process from 2016-17, has been implemented backdated from 2015-16, for which additional provision of Rs.375-crore has been made in this year’s budget.

The Chief Minister suggested constructing godowns and sumps in the midst of farms, value-addition to crops to save expenses on transportation. The compensation for accidental death of farmers has been increased from Rs.1-lakh to Rs.4-lakh, with similar revision up in unnatural death of cattle. She informed the farmers about the Central Government’s arrangement to store 2-lakh tones fertilizers at 50 places in the state.

She felicitated progressive farmers of the region, released a book and CD on the new agricultural technology, distributed kits and assistance to beneficiaries, and went round various stalls put up near the venue. She received cheques from Gandevi and Maroli Sugar factories, Valsad District Milk Producers Union-Olipor, APMC Pardi and Eva Corporation for Chief Minister’s Girls Education Fund.

Forest and Environment Minister Mangubhai Patel said that Krishi Mahotsav started in 2004 has helped the farmers raise their standard of living. He wished the Gujarat initiative serve as guiding light for the nation.

-Information