In a move to expand agricultural work in the State, Governor Ramesh Bais held a meeting with the officers of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives Department at Raj Bhawan on Tuesday.
Additional Chief Secretary to the Governor, Shailesh Kumar Singh, Secretary Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperation Department, Abu Baqr Siddiqui and other senior officials of the department were present on the occasion.
Bais said in the meeting that it should be ensured that the framers of the State get improved seeds at any cost. He said that agriculture is the mainstay of our economy.
In such a situation, always keep in mind the interest of the farmers. He directed to expedite the soil testing of the fields of the farmers of the State so that the farmers can get information about the deficiencies or specialties in the soil of their fields and farmers can use friendly fertilizers.
The Governor said that the soil and climate here is conducive for vegetable production. We need to motivate the farmers more in this direction.
The Governor said there is no shortage of water in the State, yet farmers are not getting adequate irrigation facilities for agricultural work, this is a serious problem, there is a need to work actively with coordination in this direction.
“Water harvesting will have to be encouraged further at the State Government level. The cooperative bank should work fully actively and it is absolutely necessary to improve the cooperative system in the interest of farmers,” he added.
Taking information about the facts in the meeting, Bais said that in the agriculture sector, Chhattisgarh has successfully implemented several schemes. He said that Jharkhand can also adopt them successfully. Agricultural production and marketing can be made good and easily accessible. The Governor asked the officers of the Agriculture Department to go to Chhattisgarh and get information about the schemes there so that the framers of the State could be benefitted.
The Governor said that the officers of the Agriculture Department should visit the farmers’ fields and establish communication with them. “With this, they will be able to become aware of the problems of the farmers in a better way and also bring an increase in the morale of the farmers,” he added.
The Governor said there is a need to pay serious attention towards horticulture. There is immense potential in the field of orchids. “Attention should also be paid in this direction. People should be encouraged to plant marigold flowers in the fields. All these can bring an increase in the income of the farmers. There is a need to move forward after doing research on which fruit fields are there in the state. He also directed to do more and more grafting,” he added.
In the meeting, the officers of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperation Department informed about the various works and achievements of the department and said that the State has made remarkable progress in the field of fisheries in the last few years. Apart from being self-sufficient in the fisheries sector in the State, it also exports to the neighbouring States. Jharkhand has also received Krishi Karman Award several times in the field of pulses, said Bais.