Union Minister of Agriculture appeals to farmers to adopt Organic Farming in scientific manner
Port Blair, Feb. 15: The Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, GoI, Shri Radha Mohan Singh made a clarion call that the benefits of the scientific advancements and researches taking place in Agriculture and allied sectors should percolate down to the farmers. Traditional methods of farming should be replaced with modern methods using technology, he said, calling upon the Scientists to ensure that the outcome of the research works reaches from ‘Lab to Land’, which in turn will help in achieving the target set by the Government in doubling the farmers’ income by 2022. The Minister stated this while addressing the gathering as the chief guest of the inaugural function of the three-day Regional Agricultural Fair (Southern Region) on the theme ‘Sustainable Agriculture through Integrated Farming System’, organized by ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute in association with A&N Administration at ICAR-CIARI Sports Ground here this morning.
The Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Anindo Majumdar, Additional Commissioner (Extension), DAC & FW, GoI, Shri Y. R. Meena, BJP State President, Shri Vishal Jolly, Adhyaksha, ZPSA, Smti Baby Fareeda, Smti Rupa Ray, Director ICAR-CIARI, Dr. A. Kundu, Secretary (Agri./AH&VS, Fisheries), Shri Ramesh Verma, representatives from various Departments, NABARD, Researchers, farmers and others stakeholders representing from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and UT of Pondicherry, Lakshadweep as well as Andaman & Nicobar Islands, attended the programme.
Outlining the plethora of schemes launched by the Govt.; led by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, the Minister said during the last three and half years, the country has witnessed discernible progress in various fields. He mentioned that the Regional Agriculture Fair is being organized in various parts of the country for the benefit of the farmers in four different regions. This, he said, will enable farmers to have access to information related to Agriculture and allied sectors besides various schemes launched by the Govt. for their upliftment. “Knowledge about correct method of farming with adequate information & subsidy can play a significant role in improving the yields of the farmers”, the Minister opined.
Speaking about the importance of soil health management, the Minister said, “we must care for ‘Mother Earth’ by taking adequate measures to ensure that sufficient nutrients are provided to her. With an aim to ensure better soil management, Soil Health Cards are being issued to farmers to gauge the health of the soil and accordingly, they can utilize the required quantity of fertilizers and other nutrients to retain the fertility of the soil”, he said. The Minister further remarked that Soil Health Laboratory has been established in the Islands to enable farmers to have their soil tested for 12 vital nutrients. He also stated that the information on the Soil Health Card should be made available in local/regional languages, so as to enable farmers to have better understanding of the status of their soil. The Minister also informed that apart from reviving the existing Soil Health Laboratory in the Islands, another Soil Health Laboratory will be constructed at Goal Ghar where the farmers can get their soil tested for better yield. He called upon the Officers of Agriculture Department to speed up the process of Soil Health Card distribution to farmers in the Islands. For the benefit of the farmers, one mobile lab is also functioning in the Islands, he added.
On the concept of organic farming, the Minister remarked that the whole world is striving to go organic, as organic products and produce are of higher market value these days and urged farmers to adopt organic farming using scientific method. He remarked that organic farming can be done by using new technologies to get better yield adding that though the yield during the first year of cultivation tends to be low, but in subsequent years it will increase.
The Prime Minister, he said, has been laying stress on organic farming and accordingly schemes were devised to help the farmers in organic cultivation. He informed that a scheme has been devised wherein Rs. 20,000/- per acre will be provided to farmers practicing organic farming. He also mentioned that the Govt. has sanctioned a fund of Rs 1 crore for converting Neil Island as Model Organic Farm and expressed hope that the Island will soon be declared as ‘Organic Island’. He also urged the Agriculture Department to organize camps in Nicobar and apprise the farmers about the schemes available for organic farming, so as to encourage them to continue the same. Mentioning that Sikkim was the first state to be declared as Organic State, the Minister said, Meghalaya is also poised to become a fully organic state and expressed hope that in the years to come, the A&N Islands should also be in a position to be declared fully organic. He also highlighted about various initiatives of the Govt. towards doubling farmers income viz. establishment of soil health labs, importance of organic farming and supply of neem coated urea, which have been given utmost priority to improve the Agricultural sector. The Minister also informed about the importance of soil irrigation and disclosed that the Govt. has set aside Rs. 40 crore for implementation of irrigation related projects. Accordingly, Rs. 1 crore has been sanctioned for drip irrigation, construction of ring well and ponds in the Nicobar region.
The Minister also highlighted the vision 2022 of the Govt. and stated that efforts are on to strengthen the road ways, sea ways and other necessities such as housing for all, LPG gas subsidy, electricity and water. The Minister also informed that the State Bio Control Laboratory at Port Blair will be repaired and made functional by April this year while similar lab will also be established at Mayabunder. The Minister also instructed the officials of the Agriculture Department to ensure that the Mushroom Unit, Fruit Processing Unit at Haddo be revived at the earliest. He stressed on the need for strengthening of Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) unit at Chouldari and directed for setting up of another VCO unit at Rangat to facilitate farmers there.
The Minister also stated that Rural Knowledge Centres in the Islands need to be revived and to look into the grievance of the farmers, Kisan Call Centre with toll free number 18003451145 has become functional and awareness should be created on this. The Minister also directed NABARD to establish three Kisan Bhawans here in the Islands for the benefit of the farmers.
Speaking about Animal Husbandry sector, the Minister said, “we must strengthen our local cattle breeds which are far more productive than other foreign breeds, as the former is resistant to many important cattle diseases and has good milk producing capacity”. To ensure the availability of green fodder, Hydroponic cultivation should be encouraged among farmers. The Minister also mentioned about National Gokul Mission under which the National Breeding Centre have been established in two states viz. Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Besides this, 14 Gokul Grams have been established in various parts of the country. The Minister also informed that in order to further improve the dairy sector here in Isles, Rs. 10 Crore will be sanctioned for establishing a unit under National Gokul Mission at Ferrargunj and embryo transfer technology which will benefit the farmers.
Turning to the Fisheries Sector, the Minister said, “our country is in second position in terms of deep sea fishing and under Blue Revolution various schemes have been launched which will enable the fisheries sector to boom. The Minister further stated that sea cage culture is being promoted by installing 100 sea cages. To facilitate traditional fishers, a new scheme has been launched by Govt. under blue revolution in which deep sea fishing vessel costing Rs. 80 lakh can be purchased by fishers by availing 50% subsidy i.e. 40 lakh will be provided by Govt, while 10 lakh will be provided by bank as loan and 30 % has to be borne by individual or groups.
The Minister also informed that power issue of the Islands will be settled soon and accordingly, a discussion was held between the Power Minister and the Lt. Governor of A&N Islands in this regard. He said, establishment of solar roof top plants in Govt. establishments and building have already begun here in Isles.
Listing out the achievements of the Govt. during the past three years, the Minister said, the A&N Islands is witnessing tremendous progress since a good number of developmental projects have been established viz. Law College, Medical College, Navodaya Vidyalaya, two bridges and National Highway project besides Optical Fibre Project. To further strengthen the Islands’ security, air bases will be established in three more places here in the Islands, the Minister added.
The Minister also released two publications brought out by CIARI and felicitated three progressive farmers of Isles with certificates and also gave away Fish Finder Equipment and Distress Alert Transmitter to two fishermen. The Minister also handed over the legal ownership certificate to the Karen Community for the preservation of indigenous rice variety.
Later, the Minister also inaugurated the flower & innovative farmer’s show, Livestock show, IFS models and went around the stalls and interacted with the participants.
Earlier, the Union Minister along with the Lt. Governor, A&N Islands, Admiral D. K. Joshi planted saplings in the premises of CIARI.
Speaking on the occasion, the Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray said the Govt. is leaving no stone unturned for the welfare of the people. He disclosed that the tender for optical fibre cable has been opened on Feb. 6, 2018 and a Japanese Firm has been given the work. He also informed that under ANISHI scheme for Islanders; both retired Govt. Servants and people whose annual income is below Rs. 3 lakhs are given treatment; free of cost to the tune of Rs. 5 lakh. The MP also spoke about revision of minimum wage of DRMs working in Govt. establishments and private sectors which was implemented on Jan 1, 2018. He said now the minimum wages of DRMs has been increased to Rs. 436 per day including DA. He also urged for establishment of cold storage facility in Diglipur to facilities farmers. He also encouraged farmers to cultivate tropical fruits available in Isles which are in great demand. The MP also stated that Rs. 50 lakh will be provided from MPLAD fund for setting up a market for SHGs to sell their produce. He also urged for certification of organic tender coconut water and also highlighted about pest attack on coconut palm tree and other seasonal fruit bearing plants caused by a certain species of butterflies which needs to be looked into.
Earlier, welcoming the gathering, the Director, ICAR-CIARI, Dr. A. Kundu said today marks a glorious occasion for CIARI as well as farmers and other stakeholders with the inauguration of the Regional Agriculture Fair here in the Islands. He also outlined the various programmes implemented by CIARI for extending support towards the farmers of these Islands.
The inaugural programme concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by Sr. AO, ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair& Co- Convenor, RAF, Shri Sushil Kumar.
The three -day mela provides a platform for the school and college students to visit and interact with the Scientists and inculcate scientific temperament. More than 1200 farmers inclusive of other stake holders are participating in the programme. The mela has stalls representing the states and UT of Southern Region, Self Help Group, Bankers, NGOs, Input suppliers, ICAR-CIARI and KVKs, showcasing their activities for the benefit of the stakeholders. Beside Scientist-farmers interaction, screening of movies on technologies for livelihood in agriculture and allied fields, display of innovative products, interface meetings on organic farming, value addition in coconuts and fruits, food processing, farm machinery etc are also being organized. Livestock, flower, innovative products/ process show, display of ethnic food and culture by Nicobaris and Karen communities are an added attraction of the mela.