India, April 27 -- The Government of India has issued a release:
A high-level meeting was held in New Delhi today under the chairmanship of Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan to issue separate agriculture roadmaps for each state, keeping in mind the agro-climatic zone. In the meeting, Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan told the officials that separate agriculture roadmaps for the states are a serious effort to improve the agricultural system.
A high-level committee will be formed
He stated that a roadmap for agricultural development for Vidisha, Raisen, Sehore, and Dewas districts was released during the Unnat Krishi Mahotsav held in Raisen, Madhya Pradesh. This roadmap should be used as a standard or model and separate agricultural roadmaps should be issued for each state. The Union Agriculture Minister also directed the formation of a high-level committee for this purpose.
Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that in order for farmers to practice farming scientifically based on their soil, climate, water availability, and resources, it is essential that they have a scientific document. The Agriculture Roadmap will serve as this document.
Agriculture roadmap will be released with the cooperation of the states
This roadmap will be developed in collaboration with the states, based on their needs and willpower. It will not be imposed on any state. Among the states, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh have already given their preliminary consent to the agriculture roadmap. Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that the Ministry of Agriculture and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) will jointly develop this roadmap in coordination with the concerned states.
Aims to increase both production and productivity
Under this roadmap, each state will determine its ideal agricultural system, which crops are best suited to local conditions and are most profitable, and what other needs should be addressed in the agricultural sector. Keeping in mind the 12 major agro-climatic zones in the country, agricultural activities will be planned accordingly in each state to ensure increases in both production and productivity.
Emphasis on crop diversification
The Union Agriculture Minister also stated that to promote crop diversification, dependence on wheat and rice will be reduced and other crops will be encouraged. In areas where crops like soybean are dominant, emphasis will be placed on increasing their productivity. Furthermore, in areas where production is high, strong cluster-based development, processing, and marketing systems will be developed.
Innovations and Special Initiatives
Specific agricultural revolutions, modeled after the Purple Revolution (Lavender), will be promoted in other states. New technologies and innovations will be incorporated according to local conditions.
All needs will be taken care of
The Union Agriculture Minister said that once the agriculture roadmaps of the states are prepared, their requirements will be analysed and further steps will be taken in a phased manner as per the economic, technical and structural needs.
Disclaimer: The original story of this translated version is available on Press Information Bureau.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
