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CM Patel Inaugurates Rabi Krishi Mahotsav in Gujarat

Farmers Guided on Modern Techniques at Rabi Krishi Mahotsav

Suruchi Sharma

The Rabi Agriculture Festival-2024 was inaugurated by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel at Sardar Krishi Nagar in Dantiwada, Banaskantha district, Gujarat. He mentioned that the state government consistently supports the farmers.

The Rabi Agriculture Festival-2024, spanning two days, is set to take place on December 6 and 7 across over 246 tehsils in the state.

In Dantiwada, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel presented the Sardar Patel Agricultural Research Award to 12 innovative farmers for their exceptional agricultural research.An information booklet detailing the latest technology in the agriculture sector was released by the Chief Minister and the Agriculture Minister.

The event was attended by MLAs Aniket Thakor, Swaroopji Thakor, Keshaji Chauhan, Mavjibhai Desai, former Union Minister Haribhai Chaudhary, a former MP, a former minister, and district office bearers and officials.

K.C. Chauhan, the Vice-Chancellor of Gujarat Natural Farming University, attended the event along with numerous farmers and Sandeep Kumar, the Secretary of the Animal Husbandry and Cooperation Department. After the ceremony, the Chief Minister emphasized that significant advancements in the farming and agriculture sector are possible with strong determination.

Under the insightful leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gujarat has demonstrated this by ensuring uninterrupted electricity through the Jyotigram Yojana and supplying sufficient water for irrigation to farmers through effective irrigation management.

Scientist Guides Farmers at Krishi Mahotsav

The objective of positioning Gujarat as a leading state in the agricultural revolution has been achieved through the successful implementation of the Krishi Mahotsav, inspired by the Prime Minister.

During these agricultural festivals, agricultural scientists personally visit and provide farmers with detailed insights and guidance on agriculture, advising them on which crops to cultivate and how to enhance the value of their agricultural practices.

He stated that the state government assists farmers in times of natural disasters like unseasonal rains and cyclones by offering significant help through the Agriculture Relief Package.

The state government has distributed Rs 1,200 crore out of the Rs 1,419 crore package designated for farmers as compensation for recent crop damage due to unseasonal rains and cyclones. The Krishi Mahotsav has become a beacon for contemporary agriculture through the application of technology.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for forward-thinking in natural farming. He then encouraged farmers to expand natural farming from one to two acres and to widely adopt cow-based natural farming to protect the health of both the land and humans.

Raghavji Patel, the Cabinet Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry in the Government of Gujarat, stated that due to the campaign initiated by Governor Acharya Devvrat, approximately 985,000 farmers in the state have embraced natural farming to date. The state government is systematically addressing the farmers' demand for daytime electricity supply.

Within the next six to eight months, farmers throughout the state will receive daytime electricity. Gujarat Agriculture Minister Raghavji Patel announced that the government has made numerous decisions to benefit the farmers. Numerous schemes have been put into action, and guidance is offered through agricultural fairs, along with financial support. The government has promoted natural farming with the help of agricultural experts, incorporating new research, new seeds, and methods for high yield and low-cost farming.

The government guarantees that farmers receive a fair price for their produce by covering over 50 percent of the cost through the support price. Recently, support prices have been declared for the purchase of groundnut, moong, urad, and soybean.

The procurement of groundnuts at the support price has commenced with the establishment of 160 procurement centers. The government is offering assistance for all types of agricultural equipment to aid farmers. He stated that over the past eight years, Rs 11,000 crore has been designated exclusively for crop damage relief.

The government has repeatedly shown concern for farmers about zero budget farming. The government has reportedly launched several initiatives to promote natural farming among farmers, such as creating a Natural Farming University and Board to support the natural farming movement.