Claiming Samajwadi Party Government as pro-farmer, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said that face of rural UP has changed in last 32 months because of the pro-farm sector policies adopted by his Government. “State government has initiated many steps for the welfare of villages and farmers. This will have a direct impact on the rural economy. Once the spending power of villagers improves the face of villages will change,” Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said while inaugurating International Exhibition on Agriculture and Horticulture organized here on Thursday.
He said in last two and half year his government has launched many farmer oriented policies. To ensure adequate power supply in villages separate feeders are set up in rural sectors. By 2016 villages will get up to 16 hour electricity, Yadav said. Besides, he said, farmers are being given free water for irrigation. Their loans from the corporate banks have been waived off. Quality seeds and fertilizers are being given to the farmers in subsidized rates and small mandis are being operated in cluster areas so farmers will not have to come to city to sell their produce at throwaway price
Yadav said the Kaamdhenu scheme has helped farmers to increase their earning through dairy. Amul has set up its unit in UP where farmers can sell their milk at reasonable rate. “Government has plans to introduce scheme where small farmers can purchase at least one or two cattle. We are going to launch poultry scheme in a big way because UP is a big market of eggs where at least 2 lakh eggs are consumed everyday,” he said.
“The farmers should opt for agro-based industries. They should go for modern technology in farm sector. These small changes will make farmers earn good money, which in turn will change the face of villages in Uttar Pradesh,” he said. He said that country can progress only if the states’ are prosperous. “No country can march forward in isolation. Considering the size of Uttar Pradesh it is of paramount importance that Central government should allocate for funds for the welfare of farmers, particularly of Uttar Pradesh,” he said.
Elaborating on Government’s initiatives to build infrastructure in villages Yadav said that proposed Agra-lucknow Expressway will help farmers to take their produce to mandis quickly. Food processing units can be installed in these mandis which in turn can add to village economy. “UP is the highest producer of potato, cane and milk. We should look at the avenues to not only increase production but also to link them with market so that the farmer stand benefited from these industries,” he said.
CM also honoured farmers who have excelled in production of potato, banana, cane, milk and fisheries.