Haryana Government would set up a Horticulture University to encourage the farmers to shift their cropping pattern from conventional wheat-paddy to horticultural and other cash crops so that they could get remunerative prices of their produce.
The State Agriculture Minister OP Dhankar on Monday said that the Horticulture University would be opened in Karnal district of Haryana.
The State Government has taken decision to open its three regional study centers in Jhajjar, Naraingarh and Jind. The State Government has also decided to re-open Agriculture College in Bawal which was closed for past many years, said the Minister.
He said that new schemes like Atal Kheti-Baadi Khata Yojana and Krishi Uphar Yojana have been introduced for the benefits of farmers.
The Agriculture Minister said that keeping in view the damage to cotton, bajra, guar and other crops by whitefly and other pests, special girdawari was ordered immediately. The compensation would be disbursed soon.
He added that understanding the pain of farmers, the State Government waived off agriculture bills of farmers for one year. Furthermore, the compensation is given even on 33 per cent crop damage which was earlier fixed at 50 per cent.
He said that for the first time, the procurement of 1509 PUSA Basmati Rice has been fixed at Minimum Support Price of `1,450 per quintal. The procurement procedure is being closely monitored and senior most officers of the level of Additional Chief Secretary have been deputed to take stock of the situation in the mandis (grain markets).
Dhankar said that 'Haryana Fresh' brand has been launched for ensuring the sale of agriculture and allied sector products at good prices, the outlets of which would be opened in Delhi and other cities.
Also, special emphasis has been laid on food processing. Two food parks have been approved in Haryana by the Central Government. Two mega food parks would be established at Barhi in Sonipat and Samalkha in Panipat. This would help in strengthening rural economy and would provide job opportunities to the local people, said he.
Apart from this, a sum of `135 crore has been spent on special repair and cleaning of canals and water has been provided to every tail-end in order to ensure water supply to every field.
Recently, the Chief Minister inaugurated a lift irrigation project, under which special repair of pump sets would also be carried out and water would be provided in those farm lands of southern Haryana where water did not reach for the past many years, said the Minister.
He added that the construction work of Kotla lake in Mewat has been started. In Shivalik mountain range, possibilities of constructing check dams for the use of rain water for irrigation and other purposes are being explored.