The State Government is preparing a scheme for providing cold storages for farmers to store their harvest apart from refrigerated vans to transport the produce to the markets. Stating this, the Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said that in order to encourage land consolidation, he had decided to start it in his own native village. He had exhorted the villagers to adopt land consolidation, in response to which they agreed to do so. The process of land consolidation has started there now.
The Chief Minister said this after inaugurating the state level Krishak Mahotsav Rabi- 2017 here on Wednesday. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Rawat said that the State level Krishak Mahotsav had been inaugurated with the aim of providing information about latest technology to farmers and to help them double their income. He exhorted the farmers to derive the maximum benefit of the event. Farmers can gain knowledge about agricultural equipment from this fair and also learn about the latest knowledge on how to farm in a better manner, how to produce seeds and how to use various equipment among other aspects which are being explained to the farmers here. By using the latest technology and systems, it is possible to achieve the aim of doubling the income of farmers. The cooperation of the farmers is also vital for achieving the aim set by prime minister Narendra Modi of doubling the income of farmers by 2022. Referring to the damage caused to agriculture by wild animals, the Chief Minister said that one of the ways to avoid this could be to cultivate crops which are not damaged by the wild animals.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Agriculture and Horticulture Minister Subodh Uniyal said that the Krishak Mahotsav will help establish communication between the farmers and departmental officials which will prove beneficial to the farmers. He said that the State Government had prepared some schemes to improve the condition of farmers. The economy of Uttarakhand will be improved by encouraging the cultivation of apples. Parks will be developed and horti-agri tourism will also be encouraged by the State. Apart from this, cold storage and collection centres are also being prepared by the State Government, he added.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also flagged off Krishak Mahotsav publicity vehicles. He also felicitated farmers for commendable work in the agriculture sector.