– The world honored Maharashtra’s sustainable agricultural efforts Governor C P Radhakrishnan
– Maharashtra will be made number one State in agriculture sector -Chief Minister Eknath Shinde
Mumbai :- The world has endorsed Maharashtra’s efforts for sustainable agriculture by bestowing the world agriculture prize. Maharashtra has always been experimenting in the field of agriculture and this prize has proved it once again, said Governor CP Radhakrishnan.
He glorified chief minister Eknath Shinde for the Global agriculture prize and applauded his efforts.The World Agriculture Forum has bestowed upon the Global Agriculture Prize on Chief Minister Eknath Shinde by acknowledging his work in the field of environmental protection, sustainable development and green Maharashtra. This is the second prize of the forum. It was given away to Chief Minister Shinde at the hands of Governor C P Radhakrishnan during a program organised on the occasion of world bamboo day at NCPA hall.
The president of Maharashtra Agriculture Price Commission Pasha Patel, president of World Agriculture Forum Dr Rudy Rabinge, vice president of Asian region of the forum Dr Williams Dar, vice president of Africa chapter professor Lindwe Simbada, vice president of America chapter Dr Kenneth Queen, director of the forum in India and President of Indian Chamber of Food and agriculture Dr M J Khan, president of Maharashtra pollution control board Siddhesh Kadam, principal secretary of environment and climate change department Praveen Darade were also present during the program.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Shinde said that, he is dedicating the World Agriculture Prize given by the World Agriculture Forum to the hard working farmers of Maharashtra, assuring that efforts are being taken for making Maharashtra number one state in the entire nation in the agriculture sector.
Governor Radhakrishnan said that, the research related to new technologies in the field of agriculture is going on in the agriculture universities of the state. He said that it is a matter of pride that the new technology is used for uplifting the lifestyle of the farmers and bringing joy in their lives along with economical prosperity. He also said that this prize is a token of Maharashtra’s success in agricultural sector and it’s experimentation in sustainable farming. He further said that this prize is not only for the far sighted leadership of Eknath Shinde, but it is also the honor for new ideas in agriculture sector in Maharashtra and sustainable environment efforts that are endorsed at the global level, adding that Maharashtra has an important place in India’s agricultural sector. He said that our farmers are playing an important role in the food security and their hard work and determination is the backbone of the nation. Shri Radhakrishnan further said that despite the challenges like drought situation, scarcity of water, flood and climate change, Maharashtra has shown the world its strength to combat and emerge victorious. He said that we have given progressive seeds, fertilizers and modern farming equipments to the farmers. Similarly, we have also trained the farmers in innovative systems like micro irrigation. He said that because of the coordination with agriculture universities, the modern researches are practically utilized and the income of the farmers had increased.
Chief Minister Shinde said that it is the need of the hour to maintain balance between environmental protection and agriculture in this era of Climate Change and global warming. He further said that he is accepting the prize on behalf of the farmers of the state and dedicating it to all the farmers. Stating that food security is essential today, he said that farmers are instrumental in feeding the bellies of the people and as such they are called as Anndata. He said that the farmers and farming are both important for the state. Both are badly affected due to climate change and increase in temperature and hence it is necessary to reduce the temperature. He said that the state government had formed a Environment Action Committee to look into such important matters. He also said that the government had set a target of sowing Bamboo in 21 lakh hectares of land. He said that farmers have to continuously face natural disasters like floods, unseasonal and torrential rains, droughts and other natural calamities. He said that the farmers are accepting the new changes and assured that the government is standing firm with the farmers.
Chief Minister eknath Shinde said that the state government is implementing various welfare schemes for the development of agriculture sector and providing financial strength to the farmers. He said that 125 irrigation projects have been accorded approval and the government intends to bring happiness in the lives of the farmers.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde further said that Maharashtra is the growth engine of the nation’s development. He said that the share of Maharashtra in nations GDP is huge.Similarly, the state leads the national table in employment, direct foreign investment and development. He said that the state is also leading in agriculture development. Shri. Shinde said that the farmers are provided Crop Insurance for just rupee 1 and Maharashtra is the first state in the entire nation to do so. He also said that under the Namo Shetkari Sanmaan Yojana, the union government is giving 6000 rupees to the farmers and in addition to that, the state government is also giving equal amount which comes to around Rs 12 thousand per year. He said that the state government has set the target of distributing five lakh solar agriculture pumps in the next two years. Similarly, 17 lakh hectares of land is going to be brought under irrigation. Besides this, the power supply for the agriculture sector will be given round the clock. He said that hefty increment has been made by the state government for providing succour to the farmers during natural calamity. He said that the state government has gone beyond the parameters of NDRF and gave double assistance to the needy. He said that the limitation of two hectares of land has been raised to 3 hectares.
Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a wish to make India 5 trillion dollar economy and Maharashtra is going to contribute 1 trillion dollar in his efforts. He further said that there is need for everybody’s cooperation in the field of environmental protection, development and sustainable development of agriculture sector. He said that along with industries and other sectors, the farming and farmers also had important contribution in it.
The vice president of World Agriculture Forum William Dar made the introductory speech in which he informed about the nature of the prize and method of selection for it. The national director of World Agriculture Council MJ Khan proposed the vote of thanks.
