Punjab state farmers commission for collaborative farming
Agriculture and industry need to collaborate closely for the sustained growth of both sectors.
The collaboration would not only help the agri sector in attaining significant growth but also the industry, stated G S Kalkat, chairman, Punjab state farmers commission at a Kissan Ghosti held today at Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Destination Punjab, a four-day expo organised by the CII at Amritsar.
Elaborating on his theme, Kalkat said, “In order to give a fillip to the agri sector, industry should focus on backward linkages like setting up Collection and Distribution Centres in villages for procuring vegetables and fruits. Industry and the farming community need to sit together and plan the requirements of the various produce so that the required quantity of good quality vegetables and fruits can be procured by modern retail units at a price which is remunerative for farmers.”
Kalkat also advised the farmers to diversify part of their cropping area from wheat/paddy to vegetables, lentils, horticulture etc which consume less water.
He also advised the small farmers with a holding of less than fiveacres to consider dairy farming or setting up greenhouses on their land to grow vegetables etc.