Farmer Welfare and Agriculture Development Minister Gaurishankar Bisen has told the newly-appointed officers of the agriculture department that they should take a resolution to make farming prosperous by becoming farmers' friend and help double their income. Bisen was addressing the valedictory function of a two-month training of newly-appointed assistant directors at the agriculture extension and training institute.
Bisen said that agriculture sector in Madhya Pradesh has witnessed prosperity in last 11 years. Conditions of farmers have improved. Doing farming has become easy. He said, the state received Krishi Karman Awards consecutively in recent years and Agriculture leadership Award recently. Agriculture growth rate of the state is 20 percent. The state's GDP is 10.5 percent and agriculture contribution is five percent in it which is around half. He said Madhya Pradesh is the first State in the country having half of contribution by agriculture sector in GDP. It has become possible because of tireless efforts of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Possibilities of agriculture development are more to be tapped into. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a new target — to double income of farmers by the year 2022. Bisen said efforts have started in this direction in the state after the prime minister's announcement. Madhya Pradesh is the first state which has prepared a roadmap to double farmers' income in next five years.
Bisen said responsibility has increased after achievements in agriculture sector and resolution to double farmers’ income. He said officers should start working to provide benefits of farmer welfare schemes with doubling their income. He said, new officers should be part of the department which has its important role in progress of the state and the country. They should work as team with this feeling of responsibility. It yields better and fast results. He said public representatives should be respected. He said new technology has come in agriculture sector and farmers should be encouraged to use it. Farmers should be advised to change crop cycle. Farmers should be guided which crop should be sown in lesser cost.