UP to set up multipurpose service centres for farmers

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has ordered setting up of farmers’ service centres in rural areas to provide all necessary assistance under one roof.

“Farmers service centres should be set up in rural areas on public private partnership (PPP) model where all facilities should be provided under one roof,” she said during a review meeting with the principal secretaries held last evening. She also directed that advance arrangements should be made to provide various agricultural inputs, including fertilisers and seeds, for the rabi season.

“It had been observed that due to lack of proper arrangements problems are being faced by the farmers and they are forced to purchase fertiliser and seeds from private sector on higher prices,” the Chief Minister said.

Besides, effective measures should be taken to check smuggling of fertilisers and seeds specially on the Indo-Nepal border.

“Agriculture department officials should take a lesson from the drought and should chalk out a contingency plan for future,” she said.