Latest news with #AgricultureandFarmers'Welfare
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Bihar has tremendous potential for agricultural development: Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Shivraj Singh Chouhan (ANI) MOTIHARI: Maintaining that Bihar has tremendous potential for agricultural development, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday said for a "developed India, agriculture must develop and farmers must also prosper". Chouhan said this on Monday when he visited Motihari, the district headquarters town of East Champaran district and interacted with farmers as part of his nationwide tour under the VKSA campaign. "I have come to Bihar to support and serve the farmers here and help increase agricultural productivity. For me, serving farmers is like worshipping God... 'Ek Rashtra, Ek Krishi, Ek Team' (one nation, one agriculture, one team) is the motto of this campaign," he said. "The Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA) of the Central government is a landmark initiative aimed at transforming Indian agriculture. For a developed India, agriculture must develop and farmers must also has tremendous potential for agricultural the VKSA campaign will accelerate the state's agricultural transformation and empower farmers through greater access to innovation, infrastructure, and institutional support," he said. The VKSA campaign aligns with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a self-reliant and sustainable India, and seeks to promote the widespread adoption of advanced agricultural technologies across the nation as well as in Bihar, said the union minister. The campaign's ambitious goal is to reach farmers across India through technology dissemination, capacity building, and grassroots engagement, he said adding the path to national development passes through agricultural prosperity and farmers' welfare. "Around 16,000 agricultural scientists are engaging directly with farmers. Scientists, state and central agriculture departments and agricultural universities, are working together to find ways to increase production, reduce input costs, ensure fair prices for farmers, and provide compensation in case of losses. Efforts are being made to increase the production of Bihar's famous jardalu mango, shahi litchi and marcha rice by helping farmers through advanced agricultural technologies. ..", said the Union minister. The government in April 2023 awarded the 'Geographical Indication' (GI) tag to 'marcha rice' (appears like black pepper). This rice is famous for its aromatic flavour, palatability and aromatic chura (rice flakes) making qualities. Prior to this, Bhagalpur's jardalu mango, katarni dhaan (rice), Nawada's maghai paan and Muzaffarpur's shahi litchi have already been awarded GI tag. A GI is a label applied to goods with a particular geographic origin and characteristics or a reputation derived from that origin. An indication that a product is made in a specific location is necessary for a sign to be considered for GI tag. Bihar's famous shahi litchi is worldwide popular and this fruit has only 48 hours of shelf-life, now the government is exploring options to preserve it for a longer period so that farmers get better prices, said Chouhan. Also, cold storages should be built so that farmers can get the facility to store litchis, he added. Maize production is increasing rapidly in Bihar and maize is also getting good prices. "It is the result of the policy of our PM that maize is now also being used to make ethanol," he said. "Today I got the opportunity to come to this holy land of Champaran," he said, adding this land where the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, started a movement (Champaran movement) against the atrocities and injustice being done by the British on the farmers. The VKSA-2025 campaign, which started on May 29 will continue till June 12, engaging farmers across all districts in a mission to build a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready agricultural sector, said a senior official of the state agriculture department. Lok Sabha MP from East Champaran, Radha Mohan Singh, several party MLAs and senior officials of the state agriculture department and district administration were also present on the occasion.
India Gazette
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
UP: Shivraj Singh Chouhan engages in dialogue with farmers sitting on a traditional cot in Meerut
ANI 02 Jun 2025, 00:53 GMT+10 New Delhi [India], June 1 (ANI): On the fourth day of the 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan', Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, interacted with the farmers on Sunday in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, a release from the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare said. According to the release, the Union Agriculture Minister spoke to the farmers in Dabhthuwa village of Meerut, followed by an informal conversation on a cot in Jangethi Village. Speaking to the media on the occasion, Chouhan stated that he, along with agricultural scientists as a team, had undertaken the visit to engage in direct dialogue with the farmers. The aim of holding dialogues in village assemblies (chaupals) is to promote advanced farming practices, the release said. The Minister highlighted the need to intensify efforts to increase production, reduce costs, ensure fair prices for produce, and prevent losses. These, he said, are the core objectives of the 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan', it added. (ANI)
The Hindu
29-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
New scheme rolled out in 22 villages across Thoothukudi district to benefit farmers, agri sector
Following the launch of 'Uzhavarai Thedi Velanmai-Farmers' Welfare' scheme by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in Chennai on Thursday, P. Geetha Jeevan, Minister of Social Welfare and Women Environment, highlighted the benefits of the scheme at an event organised at the K. Subramaniyapuram village under the Jegaveerapandiyapuram revenue village of Ottapidaram taluk. Speaking at the even, the minister said that the government had been taking various measures for the benefit of farmers. In line with these efforts, the newly launched the 'Uzhavarai Thedi Velanmai-Farmers' Welfare' scheme aims to uplift the agricultural sector and safeguard the farmers' welfare. The scheme has initially been implemented in 22 villages across Thoothukudi district, with two villages selected from each region. She underscored the TN government's efforts to increase agricultural production and enhance farmers income, highlighting the importance of integrating government schemes with modern technologies to benefit the farming community. 'It is noteworthy that in the 'Uzhavarai Thedi Velanmai-Farmers' Welfare' scheme, where officials of the Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry, Cooperative departments and scientists from the respective universities will directly visit the farmers and will provide suggestions, assess technological requirements and outline the schemes for them,' noted Ms. Geetha Jeevan. She added that the scheme will eventually be rolled out across 479 villages in Thoothukudi district. Thoothukudi District Collector K. Elambahavath, Vilathikulam G.V. Marknadeyan and other officials were present at the event.
The Hindu
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Award winning farmer felicitated by District Collector for traditional paddy cultivation
Kanniyakumari District Collector R. Alagumeena felicitated Belin Gold, a farmer from Achankulam village in Agasteeswaram taluk for winning first place in the state level traditional paddy cultivation yield competition. The felicitation took place at the farmers grievance redress meeting held at the district collectorate on Thursday. It is noted that Mr. Gold was also awarded with 'Bharat Ratna Doctor MGR Traditional Paddy Varieties Conservation Award' and cash prize of ₹1 lakh , which was presented by M.R.K. Paneerselvam, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, at an event held earlier this month in Chennai. During the meeting the farmers raised concerns over the delay in the projects under the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and Railway departments involving the construction of culverts, bridges across water bodies. They urged the authorities to ensure the timely completion of these projects for the benefit of the farming community. Vins Antro, from Kodayar Irrigation System Project Committee said that the petition had been submitted primarily involving the Pattinam canal (Pattinamkaal), where the NHAI is currently implementing a four way lane project, expected to be complete by June or July. However, Railways had not yet commenced their double track project in the same area. 'The projects undertaken by two different departments on different time periods will severely impact the farmers, as around 15, 000 acres of agricultural land are irrigated through Pattinam canal,' he added. Farmers also submitted petitions to restore the Suchindram canal, Alanthurayar canal, and canal near the Vaigai pond in Aralvaimozhi. They also raised concerns about the heaving vehicles passing through Thovalai canal, which are damaging the weirs and the roads in the region. At the meeting, the collector assured that steps would be taken to address the petitions promptly. She directed the officials to evict the encroachments from the water bodies and announced that 'Kuruvai' packaged project had been allocated for Kanniyakumari district, urging farmers to utilise it. At the meeting it was informed that the water would be released from Pechiparai dam on June 1 or 2 for irrigation purposes.
The Hindu
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Yercaud Summer Festival and Flower Show to begin on May 23
The 48th Yercaud Summer Festival and Flower Show will begin at the hilltop on Friday and continue till May 29, featuring a variety of competitions, musical concerts, and vibrant cultural events. Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, M.R.K. Panneerselvam, Minister for Forests and Khadi, R.S. Rajakannappan, and Minister for Tourism, R. Rajendran, will inaugurate the festival at 4 p.m. in Yercaud. The Ministers will also inaugurate various exhibition stalls set up by departments including Agriculture, Forests, Tourism, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, and Sericulture, and distribute welfare assistance to beneficiaries. Collector R. Brindha Devi said the seven-day festival would feature a grand flower show organised by the Horticulture Department at Anna Park, showcasing 1.5 lakh flowers. There would also be fruit and vegetable exhibitions. Special floral displays would depict wildlife and notable landmarks like the Mettur Dam to raise awareness about wildlife conservation. Additionally, over 25,000 colourful flower pots would be used to attract tourists. She added that several events would be held as part of the festival, including a healthy child contest, traditional food competition, rangoli competition, boating competitions for tourists, pet dog exhibition, and cultural programmes. Various sports competitions, including football and cricket, would also be organised for youth. To entertain tourists visiting Yercaud, musical concerts and cultural events would be held on all days of the festival. The Collector had earlier reviewed the arrangements with all departments and instructed them to ensure that all amenities were in place for visitors. Police personnel will manage vehicle movement at the hilltop to prevent traffic congestion. During last year's festival, held from May 22 to 26, nearly two lakh people visited Yercaud — including one lakh who visited Anna Park, Rose Garden, Lake Park, and Botanical Garden, and 35,000 who visited the boathouse. This year, the number of tourists is expected to increase, as the district administration has made elaborate arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival.
