Oz envoy offers help to revive farm sector

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 18

The state government is contemplating to overcome its agrarian crisis by aping the pattern adopted by Australia.

Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu held talks with Australian High Commissioner to India Harinder Sidhu here today to explore the possibility of marketing Punjab crop in world market, adopting the happy-seeder technique to curb stubble-burning and raising the sports and tourism standards.

Sidhu said for promoting the farm sector, the government would amend the Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMC) Act suitably. He said Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh should go to Australia to study the farm produce marketing model there and see how Punjab could benefit from it.

Harinder said firstly, a delegation from Punjab should come to see how crops were marketed in her country.

Sidhu said: “I endorse Niti Ayog’s vision to open agriculture markets to the outside world. It will be a game changer for farmers. Australia has expertise in this field. On our request, the Australian High Commissioner has promised all assistance. I will insist the CM to send a delegation to Australia to learn about how we can open our markets for the world. This will liberate the farmers from the clutches of the MSP,” he said.

Another initiation would be to introduce happy seeder technology in which Australia had expertise, he said.

Harinder said happy seeder was a proven zero-tillage solution wherein the seeds could be planted directly into stubble without the need for clearing land or tilling. “This has eliminated the need to burn crop residue. I will be visiting the PAU tomorrow to deliberate on this issue,” she said.

“In Australia, we train the farmers in marketing techniques and using latest technology. We will look forward to give support to Punjab,” she said.