Jharkhand will soon get an Agricultural Research Institute on the lines of Indian Agricultural Research Institute (PUSA) near New Delhi. It will be the second such premier institute in the country.
Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh while talking to mediapersons here on Saturday announced that the Jharkhand Government has made available 1,000 hectares of land near ‘Gauria Karma’ village in Hazaribagh.
“A team from New Delhi will be visiting the place next week following which the foundation stone will be laid for the same in March this year,” said the Minister. “Our motive is to develop agriculture in such a way that it brings profit to the farmers,” he added.
Expressing concern over non-utilisation of central funds, Singh pointed out that even 50 per cent of the total allocation from the Centre on agriculture for Jharkhand could not be used in 2013-14, while 90 per cent of the total allocation of `500 crore remained unused in 2014-15.
“It is a challenge for the Government to spend the money allocated for the purpose of implementing agricultural projects in the State. After reviewing the system of working of this system, I am confident “A group of landless farmers will also be made in the State with the help of NABARD, providing finance for them on reasonable interest rates,” added Singh.
According to Singh, looking to the potential of fisheries farming in the State, fish market in the four districts of Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Bokaro and Dhanbad will be established.
The Union Agriculture Minister also revealed that the Centre is working on to bring Prime Minister’s Village Irrigation Programme’ in the country focusing on providing irrigation water to each and every village of the State. “Pradhan Mantri Gram Sinchai Yojana on the lines of ‘Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana’ is likely to be launched in February,” said Singh.
Earlier, Singh held discussion with Chief Minister Raghubar Das for promoting agriculture in the State.
Das lauded the Minister and said that it seems that the State, which had been waiting for development for the last 14 years, will now come fulfill people’s aspirations. The issues which came up for discussion during the meeting included revival of all Government ponds, establishment of ‘Adarsha Krishi Panchayat’ in every block, distribution of Soil Health Card among farmers, promotion of micro-irrigation, promotion of organic farming in 50,000 hectare of land, Start recruitment process at Birsa Agricultural University, Restart Veterinary College under Birsa Agricultural University.
According to Das, care will be taken that the farmers do not become totally dependent on agriculture and their purchasing capacity gets increased. “Overall development of 70 per cent of the population comprising farmers is on the priority list of this Government,” said the CM.
Das also assured the Union Minister that funds allocated for the implementation of schemes from the Central Government will now be spent within the stipulated timeframe. “We also look forward to observe this year as Kisan Varsha,” he added.