Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Tuesday termed Centres of Excellence for undertaking Research and Design (R&D) to promote agriculture diversification as ‘Temples of Second Green Revolution’ saying they were required for bailing out the farmers from current agrarian crisis.
Addressing a gathering after inaugurating Centre of Excellence for Vegetable (CEV) here, Badal said that it was a historic day for the entire Punjab as a new chapter for the growth and prosperity of the State has been initiated.
He said that though the farmers of the State had played a vanguard role in making the country self reliant in food production but due to the wrong policies of the Union Government they were on the verge of economic disaster.
Badal said these Centers of Excellence would play a vanguard role not only in saving the already exhausted natural resources of the State but would also be instrumental in ensuring the all-round development of the State and prosperity of its farmers.
He said that the ultra modern techniques used in such centers would acquaint the farmers with the global technology being used in the field of agriculture so as to update their expertise for making sure that they reap maximum profits from the diversification of agriculture.
Recalling the strong ties between Israel and Punjab, the Chief Minister exhorted the Ambassador of Israel Alon Ushpiz to support the State Government for opening more such centers in Punjab so that the farmers could be benefitted from it. Badal said that opening of more such centers in the State would further strengthen the bonds between Israel and Punjab.
In his address, Ambassador of Israel Alon Ushpiz said that the inauguration of this centre was significant because it would lay the foundation of good health of the future generations and prosperity of farmers in the State. “This centre was a result of sheer hard work, commitment and vision of the Government of Punjab and Israel,” added the Ambassador.