Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
* Vows to implement crop diversification to enhance farmer’s income
Chandigarh, President Shiromani Akali Dal and Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today felicitated the entire farming community of the state and Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal for getting prestigious Krishi Karmanaward to Punjab second time for record food grains production in the year 2013-14. Earlier, Punjab has bagged this award during the year 2010-11.
In a statement issued here today, Mr. Badal said it was dynamic and visionary leadership of Chief Minister that Punjab has bagged Krishi Karman award 2013-14 for the best performing state in overall food grains production. He said that Punjabi farmers have made the nation self reliant in food grains since 1967 as Punjab farmers possess highest risk taking capacity and adaptable to new techniques.
Mr Sukhbir Badal said the Punjabis are natural frontrunners and especially in agriculture sector Punjabi farmers have became torch bearer for other states and countries. He said “keeping in view the potential and ability of Punjabi farmers, many Asian and African countries like Ethiopia, Ghana, Uganda and Ukraine have already signed agreements with Punjab Government to send farmers delegation to explore and develop agricultural in their countries.
Appreciating the SAD-BJP government for this achievement, Mr. Badal said It is matter of proud for all Punjabis that they elected a government of an cohesive alliance that has won Krishi Karmnan award twice besides being awarded best policy leadershipaward by Agriculture Today Media Group during the national agricultural summit 2013 and commendation award in food-grains production during 2011-12 and 2012-13.
Deputy CM said despite large scale opposition on provisioning of subsidies to farmers that Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal has started in 1997 Punjab is paying money to the Powercom worth Rs. 6000 crore in lieu of subsidy to farmers. He informed it was the result of policies adopted by SAD-BJP government that during 2013-14 state produced 176.09 lakh MT of wheat. Besides this, area under Basmati has increased from 5.6 lac hectares in the year 2013-14 to 8.6 lac hectares in 2014-15 and area under Maize has also increased from 1.30 lac hectares to 1.59 lac hectares, showing an increase of 22 percent.
Reiterating the commitment of SAD-BJP alliance to develop the Punjab as a model state he said the prime approach of SAD-BJP government was to ensure growth and sustainability of agriculture in the State with thrust on conservation of natural resources, especially land and water, crop diversification and raising the income level of farmers by increasing productivity of various crops through food processing techniques and reducing cost of production.
