Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday distributed assets worth Rs 734 crore among two lakh farmers of the State under the KCC and Chief Minister Livestock Distribution Program in honour of Birsa Kisan organised at the Secretariat. The Chief Minister greeted the people of the State on the occasion of World Tribal Day.
“The State Government is making continuous efforts to strengthen the farmers of Jharkhand and make them self-reliant. Since the formation of the government, work is being done in the direction of providing economic strength to the farmers here and making them stand on their feet. The people living in the rural areas here are very hardworking. I believe that if such working people are provided with proper guidance and help at the right time by the government, then the farmers will be able to move forward towards economic self-reliance. Keeping in mind the coming 25 years, our government is engaged in giving concrete shape to the action plans. The farmers of the state will be strong only then the state will be strong,” said the CM.
“Today, on the occasion of World Tribal Day, all of us are working to pay respect to the farmers of the State. From today the farmers of Jharkhand will be known as Birsa Kisan. Even before independence, our ancestors had struggled to save water, forest, land keeping in mind their coming generation. Many brave sons including Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Tilka Manjhi, Sido Kanho, Chand-Bhairava, Phoolo-Jhano sacrificed their lives. Jharkhand has been the land of heroes. We are proud that we have got the guidance of such brave sons,” he added.
The CM said that the traditional sources of income have come down in rural areas. Due to deficiencies and lapses, rural farmers gradually gave up their sources of income like forest produce. He said that the production of lac, silk etc is the highest in the State of Jharkhand, but we are not able to get the full benefits of these resources. Our farmer brothers work hard and other people are eating the fruits. Our farmers were financially strong with the things nature gave us in the forests here, but with the passage of time things changed and today we are not able to make the resources from nature as a source of income. He said that the government is engaged in making arrangements for forest produce. Work is being done with a commitment to make available the market and fair price for the forest produce to the farmers. Federations will soon be formed for the expansion of the produce.
Soren said that for the farmers and agricultural labourers of rural areas, the farm is their bank and livestock is ATM. He said that a large part of the State's population, which is in the form of farmers, makes a living from their agriculture. Animal husbandry and livestock are the easy means of income for them. Livestock used to be the capital for the rural people till a few years ago, but gradually it is very difficult to understand where this capital has disappeared. There was a time when people used to take herd animals to the villages for grazing, such pictures are not being seen now. To promote the sources of income like livestock, our government has given special emphasis on animal husbandry. Cattle and cattle sheds are being provided to rural farmers and agricultural laborers on subsidiaries.
“About 40 per cent of the children in the State suffer from malnutrition as soon as they are born. Our government has decided that eggs should be provided to these children 6 days a week. It is our resolve to make the children malnutrition free in the state. The government is promoting animal husbandry, poultry, egg production, fish production etc. A few years back I had got an opportunity to represent the state for a short time, at the same time I started providing eggs in Anganwadi centers and schools for nutritious food. Our government is working with the thought that people can feed their children home-grown food grains and eggs produced at home. Our thinking is how we can secure the coming generation,” said the CM.
Soren appealed to the farmers present to take full advantage of the schemes run by the State government. He said that today schemes worth Rs 734 crore are being distributed among 2 lakh farmers of the State. Kisan Credit Card is increasing rapidly. Farmers are being linked with livestock. He said that in view of the interest of farmers and agricultural labourers, many ambitious schemes are being run. A framework has been prepared so that our government can implement these schemes 100 percent among you. All the schemes will also be audited from time to time to know whether the schemes are reaching you or not.
Agriculture Minister Badal, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Rajiv Arun Ekka, Secretary to Chief Minister Vinay Kumar Choubey, Agriculture Secretary Abu Baqr Siddiqui, Director Agriculture Nisha Oraon, Director of Animal Husbandry Shashi Prakash Jha and other officers were present on the occasion.