Speaker praises CM for new agri policy

Days after farmers and khet mazdoors’ protest stimulated talks on new agriculture policy in the state, Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhawan today said the state government would soon announce a new agricultural policy, which would mark a historic step towards making Punjab a colourful state again. Sandhwan was addressing a gathering of farmers at the district-level Kisan Mela at Punjab University Regional Research Centre, Faridkot.

He said the path to progress and development of the country passed through the farmers’ fields, but it was regrettable that till now the Union Government had neglected the agricultural sector.

He lauded the Chief Minister for taking a new initiative to prepare an agricultural policy which would be implemented after consultation with all parties concerned. He appealed to the farmers to adopt new farming techniques with the advice of Punjab Agricultural University and to adopt agriculture-based ancillary businesses for further increase in income. He also advised the farmers to adopt crop diversification.

PAU Vice-Chancellor Dr Satbir Singh Gosal said it was the need of the hour to relieve the farmers of the current crisis of water scarcity, climate change and declining farm income. He gave the example of paddy seed sold by the private sector at Rs 4,000 per kg as against PR 126 sold by PAU at Rs 56 per kg.

Emphasising on making the state self-reliant through entrepreneurial development, he urged the farmers to increase their income by adopting ancillary occupations such as value addition and agro processing , mushroom cultivation, beekeeping, animal husbandry, etc.