Keeping in mind the vast population dependent on agriculture in Punjab and Haryana, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Saturday urged the Central Government to decide the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of any crop on the basis of the Swaminathan formula.
Addressing the inaugural session of the CII Agro Tech 2014, India’s premier biennial agro technology and business fair here, where he shared the dais with the Chief Minister of Haryana. Manohar lal Khattar and the Premier of Saskatchewan, Canada Brad Wall, Badal pleaded the case of implementing Swaminathan formula (Cost + 50 per cent profit) to determine MSP of crops.
Badal said it was one of the viable solutions to stabilise the present crisis in agriculture economy of the country and was also the major issue of NDARss agenda. Expressing full faith and confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister said it was the right time now when this formula could be implemented under his stewardship.
He said Punjab, which was known as the RsGranary of IndiaRs with just 1.5 per cent of the countryRss total land, had always ensured IndiaRss food security by producing almost 50 per cent of the total food grains. “PunjabRss farmers have a record of pulling the country out of the era of food shortages. But in this process, they have sacrificed their vital natural resources like ground water and soil fertility that resulted in the reduction of farm income substantially,” Badal said, pointing out that the agriculture crisis in Punjab was very acute as currently the farmers were under heavy debt of Rs30,000 crore.
Advocating for setting up of separate union budget for agriculture like railway budget, Badal said this crisis was becoming more and more serious with each passing day, as growth in agriculture was not keeping pace with other sectors of economy. He said nearly 60% of countryRss population was still dependent on agriculture but its contribution to GDP has dropped to 17% that was earlier 65% in 1965-66. He said the debt burden on the farmers was on rise consistently compelling them to end their lives.
Seeking central assistance for Agriculture research programme and diversification, the Chief Minister suggested that the GoI should also invest in agricultural research and mechanisation development, besides diversification, which was the major need of the hour and could only be made successful with necessary governmentRss support, especially in the progressive States like Punjab and Haryana.
In Agro-industry sector fruit, vegetables and food processing, could also generate profit through value addition strategy but GoI must ensure proper marketing facility first.
Badal also released the theme paper of CII Agro Tech 2014, inaugurated exhibition and took a round of the exhibition along with the CM of Haryana Manohar lal Khattar and the Premier of Saskatchewan, Canada Brad Wall.
In his address, the Premier of Saskatchewan (Canada) Brad Wall said that he had series of talks with the Chief Ministers and Officers of both Punjab and Haryana to explore the scope of bilateral cooperation in the agriculture and other sectors.
Expressing high hopes in strengthening the relations between two countries he offered full support and cooperation to Punjab for initiating joint ventures in various fields like food technology, food processing, agri Bio-technology and post harvest management like handling and cold chain.