Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan felicitated farmers at a farmers’ convention at his residence here on Sunday marking conferment of Krishi Karman Award to Madhya Pradesh for the 4th time for outstanding performance in food grain production.
He also honoured field officers for extending cooperation to farmers in increasing farm production and productivity. The convention was organised by Farmers' Welfare and Agriculture Development Department.
Chouhan said that Madhya Pradesh has won this award due to hard work of farmers who produced good crops despite adverse conditions. On suggestion of farmers, the Chief Minister announced to re-strucure Balram Talab Yojana. A scheme will also be chalked out to take water of rivulets and nullahs to fields. It is priority of the state government to irrigate every field.
Chouhan said that no field will be deprived of irrigation. Now, instead of conventional method of canals, water will be supplied to fields through pipelines so that water is used more efficiently through system like drip irrigation. Modern technique will be promoted for better use and management of water.
The Chief Minister announced that 1000 progressive farmers will be sent to foreign countries to study modern farming systems. He said that field officers-employees doing commendable work in the interest of farmers should be felicitated every year.
Advisory Board of progressive farmers Chouhan said that an Advisory Board of progressive farmers will be constituted. The board will comprise progressive farmers of every crop to give advice to government to frame policies and strategies. He said that the state government wishes to use experiences and traditional knowledge of farmers. He shared his farming experiences with farmers. He said that now farmers should move towards horticulture crops. Only hard working farmers can make Madhya Pradesh best example in the world in agriculture sector. He said that along with agriculture, animal husbandry and organic farming should also be adopted.
Describing PM's Crop Insurance Scheme as the best, Chouhan said that now farmers will get 25 per cent amount immediately. Chouhan informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Madhya Pradesh on February 18. State's farmers will felicitate him.
The Chief Minister said that for the first time in the history of Madhya Pradesh relief worth Rs 4,500 crore has been deposited in bank accounts of farmers and crop insurance amount of Rs 4,300 crore will also be provided to them.
Chouhan said that it is not the time to be fully dependent on one crop. Horticulture crops should also be grown side by side and groups of farmers should be formed to ensure them good prices. The Chief Minister directed to chalk out an integrated horticulture scheme.
Chouhan directed to evolve a transparent system to provide drip irrigation and polyhouses to farmers. He informed that farmers will be provided permanent pump connections in next 3 years. Farmers will be given 85 per cent subsidy on solar pumps. He said that directives have already been given to constitute a body for experts of horticulture crops.