Farmers of Gwalior and Chambal region and youth who want to start agriculture based startups have received a big gift. Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar on Sunday dedicated the newly constructed building of ‘Center for Agri Business Incubation and Entrepreneurship’ in Gwalior. Shri Tomar said that with the help of the Centre, the youth of Gwalior-Chambal region would create a golden future for India by starting agro-based startups. The foundation of Atmanirbhar Bharat will be further strengthened by the emergence of new startups. He said that by opening such centres, the Government of India has ensured that youths should join agri business and become job givers instead of seeking jobs.
With the help of NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development), a building has been constructed for “Center for Agri Business Incubation and Entrepreneurship” in the Agricultural College campus attached to Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Agricultural University, Gwalior at a cost of more than Rs.7 crore. The main objective of setting up this center equipped with modern technology and facilities is to create more than 100 startups in the next four years. Along with this, training and financial and technical help will be provided to the regional farmers and young entrepreneurs for agriculture and 240 different types of economic activities related to it. Through this center, 130 types of techniques related to crop production, crop protection and natural resource management will also be developed and work will be done to generate awareness.
Union Agriculture Minister, Tomar said that the government is providing financial assistance on a large scale for agri-business startups, food processing and innovations on the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to strengthen the agriculture sector,. Also, incentives are being provided to FPOs (Farmer Producer Organization) and Agri Startups. He said that from sowing to getting good price in the market for the produce, the government is engaged in helping the farmers with commitment. Shri Tomar informed that this year the government has procured twice as compared to last year on support price. Along with wheat and paddy, the government is also purchasing pulses, oilseeds and other coarse cereals on support price. Tomar called upon the farmers to engage in vegetable and flower cultivation along with traditional farming, so that their income can be doubled. He said that the government has made a provision of Rs one lakh crore for agricultural infrastructure. For the first time after the independence of the country, an amount of Rs 1.5 lakh crore rupees has been arranged by the government to provide agriculture related resources near the villages.
NABARD Chairman G.R. Chintala said that effective steps have been taken by NABARD to make the agriculture sector profitable with new technology and energy by not leaving the new generation outside the agriculture sector. NABARD-ABIC is playing an important role in solving the problems of the youth and farmers who want to join agriculture based enterprises. Half a dozen ABIC have been established by NABARD in the country. In this episode, this seventh center has been established in Gwalior. Through the center, help will be provided in the field of farming and for farmers startups, technical development, networking, financial assistance, guidance for starting a business, training, research and legal aspects.
State’s Agriculture Development and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Kamal Patel virtually participated in the programme. Patel said that the farmers of the state have got a big gift in the form of this center with the help of NABARD and the Government of India. He said that the center would encourage startups related to processing and agritech in the state. Patel said that the State Government has a clear policy and mission that along with agricultural diversification, processing should also be encouraged.
Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Horticulture and Food Processing Bharat Singh Kushwaha said that farmers will also have to join food processing to double their income. This center of Gwalior will prove to be a milestone in this direction. Madhya Pradesh has immense potential for food processing.
Vice Chancellor of Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Agricultural University, Prof SK Rao said that the university would play an important role in the success of the centre. Madhya Pradesh NABARD Manager Nirupam Mehrotra and CJM Devashish Padhi also addressed the programme. Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and other guests also inaugurated the state level exhibition “UMANG-2022” and Eco Fest. An MoU was also signed by the Agribusiness Center with the Eco Factory Foundation to promote agricultural entrepreneurship.
Union Agriculture Minister Tomar flagged off the mobile rural mart vehicle prepared by NABARD for providing market and sale of the products of farmers and self-help groups.
