Chandigarh, July 6 – Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Sh. Shyam Singh Rana, said that to facilitate the purchase of crops grown using natural farming methods, the state government has established a grain market in Gurugram. A laboratory has also been set up in the market to test the quality of the produce. Once the quality is assessed, a committee will determine the price and purchase the crop accordingly.
The Agriculture Minister was addressing the gathering as the chief guest at the 7th Fruit Festival Mela organized at the Subtropical Fruit Centre in Ladwa on Sunday.He formally inaugurated the event by lighting the ceremonial lamp and planted a mango sapling in the centre’s premises. He also felicitated 10 progressive farmers from the horticulture sector with Rs. 5100 each, a trophy, and a certificate of appreciation.
The Minister also inspected various stalls at the Mela and gathered information from experts on different mango varieties.
Sh. Shyam Singh Rana said that the state government’s goal is to cultivate crops through natural farming on one lakh acres of land in Haryana. Currently, natural farming is being practiced on 10,000 acres, and this number is steadily increasing. He informed that the Subtropical Fruit Centre in Ladwa was established in 2016 under Indo-Israel technology. Starting with 10,000 saplings, the centre now prepares one lakh saplings annually for distribution to farmers. Research is being carried out on six crops including mango, litchi, pear, peach, and Chikoo. Scientists at the centre are also developing a mango tree whose fruit could fetch around Rs. 1 lakh per kilogram in the market.
The Minister further said that to increase farmers’ income and encourage a shift from traditional farming, 17 such centres will be established in the state, 11 of which have already been completed. Sub-centres for litchi in Ambala and for strawberries in Yamunanagar will be set up soon. He emphasised the need for farmers to diversify beyond wheat and paddy cultivation into horticulture, fisheries, beekeeping, dairy farming, and other sectors.
He said that the state government continuously formulates new schemes for the benefit of farmers. If any issues arise during implementation, the schemes are revised accordingly to ensure farmers benefit. He called farmers a crucial pillar of the nation and encouraged them to adopt modern and diversified farming practices. Under the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana, if farmers get a price below the MSP in the market, the government compensates the difference to protect them from losses.
He said that with new schemes aiming to boost income across all sections of society, India will become the third-largest global power by 2027 under the leadership of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi.
