Haryana Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday said that new schemes for Peri Urban Agriculture and diversification of crops will be prepared in the direction of doubling the income of farmers.
Talking to reporters after attending the first meeting of High Powered Committee of Chief Ministers for Transformation of Indian Agriculture, in New Delhi, he said that in the direction of diversification of crops in Haryana, the 'Jal Hi Jeevan Hai' scheme was praised in the meeting and it was discussed to pursue the scheme in other states as well.
The meeting was presided over by Maharashtra Chief Minister and Convenor of the Committee, Devendra Fadnavis. Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar, Gujarat Chief Minister, Vijay Rupani and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Pema Khandu also attended the meeting. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Kamal Nath participated through video conferencing.
Khattar said that in view of the diversification of crops, discussion was also held to prepare new schemes by forming the basis of Peri Urban Agriculture to economically reorganize the agricultural areas around the urban areas alongwith crop diversification. "Peri urban agriculture is highly important for Haryana in view of the large agricultural area of Haryana being located in the NCR area and with the preparation of new schemes for Peri Urban Agriculture, the agricultural sector will be economically strong and people in cities will get fresh agricultural and other food items," he said.
The Chief Minister said that in the context of marketing of agricultural products, the details will also be prepared to provide storage facility to the farmers. Discussions were also held to increase the involvement of the Center in the purchase of agricultural crops. Apart from this, discussion was held in the meeting on the need to increase central subsidy in micro irrigation schemes. The Chief Minister said that Haryana Government is giving up to 85 per cent subsidy under irrigation schemes.