Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
* To subsidize mowing machines
* Punjab gets Rs. 82.5 crore grant under national horticulture mission
* Vegetables & fruit growers to get subsidy on solar motor pumps
Chandigarh, Concerned by rising air pollution level by burning of straw and agriculture waste during harvesting seasons, the Punjab Agriculture Department has decided to motivate farmers to adopt mechanical mowing machines to mow straw in earth rather than burning it.
Agriculture Minister Jathedar. Tota Singh said that Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal was concerned about rising air pollution level due to burning of straw and approved subsidy on mowing machines to motivate farmers to adopt new eco friendly technology. He said that the Punjab government has taken this step to reduce environmental pollution done by burning the straw residue and maintain productivity of the soil. Jathedar Tota Singh said that such low cost new technique machines are developed in the state so that we need not to purchase such machines on high price from other countries. He said that Punjab Government would provide these machines to the cooperative societies which would be utilized by the farmers.
The Agriculture Minister appealed to the progressive farmers to use this new technology and encourage other farmers for to use this technology. ‘Punjab Agriculture department would also organize camps and exhibitions to educate farmers about the benefits of the new technology to deal with straw residue.
Earlier in the meeting the Horticulture department officials briefed about the Rs 82.5 crore grant received under the National Horticulture Mission programme. In a two hour long discussion progressive farmers presented their views about the proper utilization of this grant to promote Horticulture farming in the state.
After giving a patient hearing to diverse views of the progressive farmers Jathedar Tota Singh said that Punjab Government has decided to provide subsidy on solar pumps from 2 to 7.5 horse power to the fruit and vegetable farmers. He asked the farmers to avail this facility to solve the issue of electricity supply to the farmers during the wheat cultivation season.
The Minister also expressed a deep concern over the extensive usage of pesticides and insecticides that was having adverse effect not only the quality of the vegetables, fruits and other crops but also giving a bad name to the whole state. He said that due to this our products were not able to maintain international standards and therefore we are not able to sell our vegetables and fruits etc in the international markets.
Prominent amongst those present in the meeting included Chief parliamentary Secretary Mr. Gurbachan Singh Babehali, Financial Commissioner Development Mr. Suresh Kumar, Commissioner Agriculture Dr. Balwinder Singh Sidhu, Director Horticulture Dr. Lajwinder Singh, Joint Director Horticulture Dr. Gurkanwal Singh and progressive framers of the state.
