Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh today said the Narendra Modi government is taking steps to ensure welfare of farmers.
Singh said that during five years before the Modi government came to power, the budget earmarked for agriculture was only Rs 1.21 lakh crore while the present central government has made budget provision of Rs 2.11 lakh crore for agriculture.
"This shows how much the Modi government is committed for the welfare of the farming community," he said speaking at the 3rd Agri Leadership Summit- 2018 here.
He claimed that the Modi government has initiated income based schemes' which would help the farmers in enhancing their income.
Lashing out at the opposition, Singh said that they accuse BJP of talking about 2022, the target fixed by the Prime Minister to double the farmer's income and say that why we are not talking about 2016 or 2017.
Singh reminded the people that it was the same Congress which had claimed way back in 1980 that 21st century will see 'New India', "but where have those claims gone now?".
He said that farmers will have first right on the government's exchequer, the present government is working with this aim.
The minister said that in addition to the budget allocated to Agriculture sector, Rs 5,000 crore have been allocated for micro irrigation.
Similarly, the government has created separate Dairy Infrastructure and Development Fund of Rs 10,800 crore and made provision of Rs 7000 crore for promoting pisciculture, he said.
Singh lauded the efforts of Haryana government for setting up three Development Centres for bee farming.
He said that Haryana can supply fresh vegetables, flowers, fruits, milk, fish and other farm products to Delhi.
Singh also appealed the farmers to stop stubble burning in their fields and said that "we consider the earth as our mother, so never set the mother earth on fire, rather, the farmers should plough the stubble in their fields which will help in increasing the fertility of the soil."
A large number of farmers and people engaged in agriculture and allied occupations from across the state witnessed the Agri Leadership Summit on the second day also.
Haryana Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki also released a Agri Leader Booklet', in which the success stories of various farmers who have been able to increase their income by making new experiments in agriculture are documented.
A documentary was also shown on the achievements of Haryana in the field of agriculture. The Governor gave away Rattan Awards' to outstanding farmers.
"The government has taken big decisions for the welfare of the farmers, so that they become more prosperous and empowered," Solanki said.
By adopting Ujjwla Scheme', Haryana has become first kerosene free state in the country, Solanki said.
He said that presence of women in large number in the summit has made it a complete' event and it also indicates women empowerment because women in Haryana also work in fields to supplement their family's income.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
