Use new schemes to double income: Ahluwalia to farmers

Union minister S S Ahluwalia today asked farmers to make use ofthe Centre's new programmes and schemes to double their income.
Traditional knowledge has its utility, but integrated farming, animal husbandry and fishery, and increasing production of oilseeds and pulses is also important, he said.
"There is also a huge gap between the laboratories and farms. Scientists and farm officers must work hard to transfer new technologies and research to the fields," Ahluwalia said at the CSK H P Agriculture University's Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in Kangra, around 40-km from here.
Informing farmers about the Centre's new plans for the agriculture sector, he said the young generation can be made part of the farming sector through Central government programmes like Startup India.

On being told about the crop damage being caused by monkeys and other animals, Ahluwalia asked scientists to think out of the box to solve such problems.
"Instead of abandoning farming or growing less remunerative crops, such issues should be taken up as new challenges and workable solutions should be provided," he said.

In a meeting with the varsity's vice-chancellor and officials, Ahluwalia asked them to serve the farming community with "zest".
The vice-chancellor, Prof A K Sarial, told the ministerthat the university has developed 22 models ofenterprises, which can enable farmers to double their income.
Ahluwalia also visited the Sobha Singh Art Gallery and Museum at Andretta, near Palampur.

The minister, who was accompanied by his wife, spent around two hours at the gallery and interacted with the artist's family members.
Through the paintings, the artist has given love, suffering, struggle and spiritualism a new definition , Ahluwalia said.
He also appreciated the family for meticulously maintaining the gallery.
Sobha Singh's daughter Bibi Gurcharan Kaur presented Ahluwalia with a painting of Guru Gobind Singh and literature on the artist.