Sewa Pakhwada to make farmers’ self-reliant, help raise income: Rana

Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana said Sewa Pakhwada will be observed in the state from September 17 to October 2. During this period, the Departments of Agriculture, Horticulture and Fisheries would inform farmers about Central and State Government welfare schemes and organise awareness programmes to promote natural farming.

The minister was chairing a meeting of departmental officers in Chandigarh to review preparations for the Sewa Pakhwada.

Rana said the fortnight, beginning on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday (September 17) and ending on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi (October 2), would serve as an important medium to ensure schemes reach the farming community.

He instructed officers to turn the campaign into a people’s movement by visiting every village and communicating directly with farmers. Special drives will be conducted through exhibitions highlighting crop diversification, modern farming methods, new crop varieties, quality seeds and innovative planting techniques. Farmers will also be informed about advanced horticulture and aquaculture practices.

Along with this, awareness would be raised on schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Haryana Government’s Soil Health Card Scheme, drip irrigation and micro irrigation.

He instructed the officers to prepare a detailed calendar of each programme to be held during the Sewa Pakhwada and send regular reports to the department.

In the meeting, it was also decided that farmer seminars will be organised at district and block levels, in which farmers will be informed about improved seeds, water conservation techniques, and demonstrations of agricultural machinery. Similarly, the Fisheries and Horticulture Departments will also inspire farmers with schemes related to their respective sectors.

He said the pakhwada aims to make farmers self-reliant and increase their income.

He also directed the officers that during the fortnight, regular cleaning should be carried out in grain markets, vegetable markets, and purchase centres.

Principal Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department, Pankaj Agarwal, along with senior officers from the Horticulture and Fisheries Departments, were also present in the meeting.