States should select districts to take up apiculture: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today called upon every state to select at least one district to take up apiculture, which has a 'demand in the world market'.
"Every state can select at least one district to produce honey, which has demand in the world market. Some farmers are earning lakhs of rupees," Modi said after laying stone for Indian Agriculture Research institution (IARI) at Barhi block in Hazaribagh district.
Stating that bio compost could also fetch money, Modi stressed upon increasing income during lean months, after five to eight months of agriculture work, by taking up animal husbandry, poultry, fisheries and dairy products.

Recalling how farmers increased rice production after former prime minister Lal Bhadur Shastri's slogan --- 'Jai Jawan Jai Kissan', Modi said it was necessary to increase production of protein-rich pulse seeds.
To promote pulse seeds production, he said a special package of extra MSP (minimum support price) would be provided, besides the existing MSP for grains.
Citing how Bihar purchases fish to the tune of Rs 400 crore from other states every year, he said the people of Bihar could make profits through pisciculture.
The most important factor for increase in agriculture production, he added, was providing water to the farmers, particularly micro irrigation and sprinklers.

"We have to save water through 'tapak yozana' (drip irrigation scheme). Per drop more crop...A balanced use of water would give more crops," he said while asking farmers to use Kissan Channel as an open university to get information on agriculture.