Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday inaugurated the fourth session of the ambitious agriculture extension programme ‘Million Farmers’ School’.
The programme launched by UP Agriculture department aims to double the income of farmers, increase their awareness of use of advanced agricultural techniques, specific use of fertilisers after soil testing, and maintenance of soil health for enhancing agricultural productivity.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister also released a coffee-table book — Krishi Kumbh.
“I monitor issues related to farmers myself every day. If the farmers start getting remunerative price for their crops, they will not have to migrate or commit suicide. So far more than 10 lakh farmers have been trained under the Million Farmers’ Schools scheme,” Yogi Adityanath said.
“The fourth session of the Million Farmers’ School is starting from today at more than 15,000 centres in 75 districts with the objective of enhancing agriculture productivity,” he said.
The Chief Minister said, “Life is not about escape or migration, rather it is about struggle. The government will not allow the hard work of farmers go in vain. The government is committed to support the farmers in every situation. It is our responsibility to ensure that the farmers get remunerative price for their agricultural produce. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also committed to work in favour of our farmers.”
“Remember, five decades ago, India was dependent on food grains import.... With the hard work of the farmers and the sustained efforts of the government to ensure availability of agricultural inputs and remunerative prices for agricultural produce, the country now has surplus of all categories of foodgrains,” Yogi said.
“Ever since the Bharatiya Janata Party came to power in UP in March 2017, the well-being of the agriculture sector is the top priority of the government. The government has set the target of creating additional irrigation potential for irrigating over 20 lakh hectares of agricultural land by the end of the current fiscal, the Chief Minister said.
“Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme has benefited over one crore farmers. First two instalment under the scheme have been credited in the accounts of the farmers and the benefit of the scheme will be provided to remaining 1.8 farmers would be provided soon.”
Under this scheme, the Central government is giving financial support of Rs 6,000 per annum to poor farmers in three instalments.
“The state government is confident that by the year 2022, agricultural science centres will play an important role in doubling the income of our farmers. The state government has so far ensured payment of over Rs 65,000 crore to the sugarcane farmers in the last two years,” the Chief Minister said.
“New sugar mills are being set up while the cane crushing capacity of the existing sugar mills are being expanded besides installation of ozone plants. Both ethanol and sugar will be produced simultaneously. Ethanol will add to the revenue of sugar mills as the commodity is now widely used for blending with petrol and this will also reduce the import bill on crude oil,” Yogi Adityanath said.
The Chief Minister said that he was happy to share the information that the BJP state government had procured 37 lakh MT of wheat in its first year and 53 lakh MT wheat in the second year.
“Till now we have procured 36 lakh MT of wheat directly from the farmers. The payment of remunerative price to the farmers for their produce will end the menace of migration from rural areas and suicide by farmers,” he added.
The Chief Minister said, “Without awareness, people’s participation is not possible. We have four agricultural universities in the state. We have decided that in the coming time, mandis will be operated by representatives of farmers, rather than government.”
On this occasion, UP Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi said that farmers’ school had contributed a lot to the development of the farmers. “Now the benefit of the schemes is reaching directly in the accounts of farmers. The state’s agricultural budget has increased from Rs 500 crore to Rs 2,068 crore. The state has risen from 17th position to 3rd position now in farming sector with the rapid increase in agriculture production. More than 27 lakh farmers have been benefited till now. Through farmers’ school, we are trying to double the income of the farmers”.