Stating that strawberry cultivation would be nothing short of a miracle for Bundelkhand, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said that this initiative of the farmers would give a new identity to the region.

The chief minister, who virtually inaugurated the month-long Strawberry Festival of Jhansi, said the diligent farmers of this region had changed the image of Bundelkhand, considered to be infertile land in the past.

“This endeavour has given a new meaning to the region and it is set to write a new history,” he added.

“Like Jhansi, products of other districts of the state also have their unique identities and such festivals can help in giving them a new platform.” the chief minister said, adding that the Kala Namak rice of Siddharthnagar, the black rice of Chandauli, the guavas of Prayagraj and Kaushambi were to name a few.

The chief minister said that there was a general belief that the soil of the Bundelkhand region was not suitable for such fruits. He said this belief had been proved wrong as strawberry could be an additional mode of earning for the farmers of the region.

“The region has an ample amount of surface water and by using techniques like drip and sprinkle irrigation for farming, the farmers can definitely reduce the input cost,” the chief minister said.

He said both the Central and state governments were providing facilities to the farmers from seeds to markets. 

“During the coronavirus pandemic, while the government ensured that all the 119 sugar mills did not stop production, the farmers also maintained the supply of sugarcane. We are committed to the welfare of the farmers,” he said.

Yogi Adityanath advised the Agriculture and Horticulture departments to organise such festivals in other districts also so that their products could get a platform.

“The government has also been trying to create new facilities for irrigation. The Bansagar project, which was pending since 1977, has been completed and the Madhya Ganga Project, Saryu Nahar Rashtriya Pariyojana and the Arjun Sahayak Pariyojana will be completed this year,” the chief minister said.

“Workshops will also be organised during the festival to encourage farmers to go for strawberry cultivation. A work plan has also been prepared to encourage strawberry farming in Jhansi and other districts of the region. The district administration will be providing strawberry plants to the people,” said Jhansi district magistrate Andra Vamsi.