The State Agriculture Minister and Jamshedpur West MlA, Banna Gupta, on Tuesday inaugurated the maiden one-day Kolhan regional Krishi Mela–cum-Vikash Mela at Gopal Maidan. During the mela assets worth Rs55 cr were distribuited. Around 40 products of farmers were also put up for exhibition during the mela.
In his address Gupta ensured that the agriculture department will frame policies for the grass-roots levels.
“We want to provide all facilities to farmers of the state and so that they can flourish. The Government can never ignore farming. I assure you that steps would be taken to promote advanced farming technique for higher yield,” said the agriculture minister.
The Minister also informed the agriculture department will provide soil testing facility for the farmers so that they can know what types of
crops would be suitable for their land to provide fillip to the cultivation.
He also expressed concern over poor utilisation of agriculture budget. The minister expressed confidence that he would work dedicatedly for better ultilisation of the annual budget.
“We have an annual budget of Rs806-core for agriculture but unfortunately we have been able to spend less than 10 percent of the budget,” said the minister.
Principal secretary State agriculture, Vishnu Kumar and other agriculture department were present at the function. About 33 tractors, 196 pump sets, 134 sprayers, 20 cono weeder and 400, irrigation pipes distributed to farmers at 50 per cent subsidy was distributed.
Around 57,324 farmers were old aged pensions and 24,309 beneficiaries of social security scheme were given blankets. Around 1757 girls beneficiaries under Mukhya Mantri laxmi ladli Yojana were given a total of Rs1,06,26,000.
loans were also given out to 10 beneficiaries under PMRY (Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Yojana) scheme, around 1295 farmers received loans under kissan credit cards, around 50 BPl youths received rickshaw by State Urban Development for earning livelihood
while 75 BPl youths received sewing machines.