Haryana formulating policy to rejuvenate agri sector: Khattar

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today said that state government is formulating a policy to rejuvenate the agriculture sector and link it to the industry so as to ensure double benefit to farmers.
The Chief Minister stated this while addressing a national seminar on "development of states with special emphasis on northern-western states" organised at Institute for Development and Communication here today.
He said that farmers would be encouraged to adopt organic farming and water conservation.
The state governments, industries, agriculture scientists and farmers would have to make efforts together to achieve the desired results.
He said the state government would provide all help to achieve it.

While emphasising the need for having a detailed policy by northern-western states, especially for Haryana and Punjab, he said that this would help not only in increasing the farmers' income but would also ensure creation of new employment opportunities in agriculture sector.

This has also become essential as in the era of globalisation; competition is increasing among countries rather than states, he said.
For taking advantage of this competitiveness, it is essential that various states of the country work together in the areas of agriculture, its diversification, water conservation, industrial growth, education and health.
In this policy, emphasis should be laid on increasing farmers' income and ensuring food safety of the nation, he added.

Describing industry as next priority after agriculture, the Chief Minister said that Haryana surrounds Delhi on three sides which attracts entrepreneurs for setting up of their venture.
The young farmers, who do not wish to adopt farming on their valuable land should be imparted training to improve their skill so that they could train themselves in service and industry sectors, he said.
This institute would also provide guidance for rejuvenation of agriculture sector, Khattar said.
The Chief Minister said that state government also laying a lot of emphasis on horticulture sector in the state.
First Horticulture University of the state is being set up in Karnal. Its three centres would also be opened, one at Dera village in district Ambala, second at Bakhtavarpur Raiyya village in Jhajjar and third one in Jind.

A budget provision of Rs 50 crore had also been earmarked for this university in year 2016-17.
He said the government is also setting up centres of excellence for horticulture in every district.
Under Indo-Israel project, Centre of Excellence for fruits at Mangiana in Sirsa and center of excellence in vegetables at Gharaunda in Karnal have already been set up. In addition, the centre for sub tropical fruits at Ladwa has also been set up under the same project.
Under state project, potato processing centres have also been set up at Shamgarh in Karnal. Work is under progress for setting up of Integrated Bee Development Centre at Ramnagar in Kurukshetra under Indo-Israel project.

With a view to ensure social and economic safety of farmers, the government is working on self pension scheme so as to give them pension after attaining the age of 60 years, he added.