Inaugurating schemes worth Rs 467 crore 32 lakh 88 thousand 380 under the scheme related to water conservation at the state-level water harvesting center in Nagdi today, Agriculture Minister Badal said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, efforts will be made to make the farmers of the state happy. Today is a very special day in the history of Jharkhand. He said that today the scheme of pond renovation and percolation is being launched in the blocks of all the districts of Jharkhand. He said that with the commencement of renovation of 2133 ponds and construction of 2795 percolations in all blocks of 24 districts, the government is trying to lay a strong foundation of water conservation in the entire state.
Badal said that efforts are being made continuously by the government to get relief from drought, but efforts should be made at the village level as well. Due to the better condition of electricity in the village, irrigation can be arranged smoothly from the pond. In this episode, we have resolved to make the concept of Smart Village a reality. He said that a society can be formed by increasing the number of members of the Pani Panchayat and that the committee should be given the responsibility of fish farming in the pond, it is being considered. He said that an advance payment of Rs 3500 per acre per person was being made to the farmers affected by drought through the state fund.
Agriculture Minister Badal said that today there is a need for integrated farming and in view of this, we are ready to provide whatever support the farmers need from the government. The officials of the department are constantly working with the aim of benefiting the farmers. Our government has deposited Rs 1885 crore in the farmers' accounts in the last 3 years, which is enough to show that the government is very sensitive towards the farmers. Our government has tried to eliminate the misconception about the farmers and we have done the work of notifying the farmers as Birsa Kisan. The aim of the government is to ensure 20% contribution of farmers in Jharkhand's GDP.
He said that it takes serious hard work to get the schemes on the ground and he has returned from his assembly constituency today itself and inspected the area where the pond is being renovated today and after that the implementation of this scheme at the state level will be done. We are also witnessing the implementation. He said that only farmers can improve Jharkhand's GDP and the government is ready to provide assistance at all levels. Farmers will soon be strengthened under the Mukhyamantri Pashudhan Yojana. Also, we have made a provision to give two rupees per litre of milk to the farmers. It is our endeavor that the farmers of Jharkhand become prosperous on the lines of Punjab and Haryana, as well as move the state towards assured irrigation. Till now about 31 lakh 33 thousand applications of drought affected farmers have been received and payment has also been made to 8.5 lakh people. It is our endeavor to give Rs 1200 crore to 30 lakh farmers of the state and to construct or renovate all the ponds in the coming two years so that the fields can be provided with irrigation facilities.
Secretary, Agriculture Department, Abu Baqr Siddiqui, while addressing farmers from different blocks, said that water is necessary for society and life. Proper use of water, conservation is to be given priority so that we can give a safe future to the coming generations. If we have to deal with drought, we need to move towards assured irrigation. The government is doing many schemes including check dams, canals in the state on priority, which will prove to be a boon for the farmers of the state. There are many central schemes, in which RKVY / PDM C scheme top-up subsidy is being provided to the farmers on 90 per cent subsidy.
Water conservation scheme and agricultural equipment etc. are being given through the schemes. Raising the level of irrigation is a big challenge and public participation is important to overcome this challenge. There are many committees like gram sabha, pani samiti which give strength to the farmers and through these committees you can monitor the schemes of your village. He said that soon the vision of Agri Smart Village is working to be realized. You have to be aware so that the schemes are not misused.
Zilla Parishad member Poonam Devi, Director Soil Conservation Officer Ajay Kumar Singh, VC of Birsa Agriculture University Onkar Nath Singh, District Soil Conservation Officer Anil Kumar Singh and a large number of farmers were present.
