Centre includes Punjab in Agricultural Statistics Improvement Plan

Neeraj Mohan

New Delhi, July 18

Punjab has been incorporated into the Agricultural Statistics Improvement Plan, following a meeting between Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian.

During the meeting held at Krishi Bhavan, Delhi, various issues concerning agricultural development in Punjab were discussed.

Chouhan handed over the approval letter for Punjab’s State Agricultural Statistics Authority (SASA) proposal, expressing the central government’s commitment to support the state’s agricultural initiatives.

As per the approval letter from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Punjab has been included in the Improving Agricultural Statistics (IAS) scheme, allowing for the establishment of a Project Monitoring Unit (PMU) under SASA.

The scheme provides 100 per cent financial assistance for IAS-related activities, marking a significant step towards enhancing the agricultural statistics system.

The meeting also focused on the implementation of the Crop Residue Management Scheme, emphasizing the need for serious efforts to address environmental concerns.

Meanwhile, Khudian also called for Chouhan’s intervention to address the escalating pest attacks on the Punjab’s cotton crop, specifically the pink bollworm and whitefly infestations.

Khudian also brought forth other significant agrarian concerns, including the implementation of the Crop Residue Management (CRM) scheme, the timely release of funds under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), and the consistent supply of fertilizers.