Bharuch, 18 May 2013

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has held the Centre responsible for the sorry state of agriculture in the country. “In the agrarian economy like India, Gujarat has continuously achieved three times higher agro growth rate than of national average during past ten years, even as overall agricultural scenario in India is pitiful”, he said.

Mr.Modi was addressing a large turnout of farmers at Bharuch where he inaugurated the Krishi Mahotsav and cattle health fair for the seven districts of south Gujarat. The state-wide ninth Krishi Mahotsav has begun from May-14.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister felicitated the progressive farmers and handed over aids to them.

Addressing the farmers who gathered despite the scorching sun he said that there was a time when farming was considered most preferred work, followed by business and then job. “What happened in past 40-50 years that brought Indian agriculture and farmers to such a miserable condition”, he questioned.

“There is no other alternate but farming for strengthening Indian economy”, he said. Only the flourishing farming and animal husbandry can bring about prosperity to villages, but the rulers of this country are indifferent towards it, he added.

Had Sardar Patel been the first Prime Minister of India, the farming and farmers of this nation would not have suffered such miseries, he said.

Lauding the efforts of Gujarat farmers in achieving a turnaround in agriculture the Chief Minister said the water-scarce state like Gujarat has managed an agro growth rate of around 10% since last decade owing to the efforts of farmers and success of Krishi Mahotsav.

Appreciating the innovations made by Gujarat’s krishi universities the Chief Minister said the Navsari Krishi University has developed a new strain of iron-rich rice. Bhaliya wheat has now become identity of Gujarat.

The Chief Minister also outlined Rs.3850 crore water conservation project for the tribal belt from Ambaji to Umargam. He also spoke of Rs.3400 crore project for building Narmada water reservoir between Kevadiya colony to Bhadbhut barrage, linking it with Kalpsar project.

Mr.Modi announced organizing international agro fair with a view of acquaint Gujarat farmers with world-class innovations and experiments in the field of agriculture. He said the State is also exploring using solar energy for making experiments in agriculture.

“The Centre has kept doling out subsidies to farmers with an eye on vote-bank. This has kept the farmers poor. While in Gujarat we are endeavoring for making sure that farmers never need to enter in debt on first place”, Mr.Modi said.

On the occasion, cheques of around 32 lakh were donated by various organizations to the Chief Minister’s Kanya Kelavani fund.

Speaking about the success of Krishi Mahotsav the Law Minister Pradipsinh Jadeja said that Gujarat’s development has captured the attention of people all over the world.

Agriculture Minister Babubhai Bokhiriya, Surat MP C R Patil, District Panchayat President Manhar Gohil, Bharuch MLA Dushyant Patel, Vagara MLA Arunsinh Rana, Jambusar MLA Chhatrasinh Mori, Ankaleshwar MLA Ishwarsinh Patel, MLAs of Valsad, Navsari, Tapi, Surat and Dang, office bearers and farmers families in large number were present on the occasion.