NEW DELHI: With back-to-back droughts hitting agriculture output hard, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for steps to conserve water and asked farmers to focus on crop diversification and go for allied activities like dairy, poultry and food processing to boost their income.
Inaugurating a 3-day ‘Krishi Unnati Mela’, Modi said since May 2014 when it came to power, his government has taken several initiatives for agriculture growth, including introduction of a new insurance scheme and giving soil health cards to farmers, with a view to doubling their income by 2022.
As per the latest government data, the all-India average monthly income of agricultural households during the crop year July 2012-June 2013 was estimated at Rs 6,426.
He even gave a clarion call for second green revolution in eastern states, which have adequate water and fertile land, through adoption of modern technologies.
Putting a premium on water conservation to raise farm productivity and income, Modi said the government has identified 90 stuck irrigation projects which can irrigate 80 lakh hectares. The government is spending Rs 20,000 crore to boost irrigation projects.
Attacking opposition parties for claiming that all projects and programs started when they were in power, the Prime Minister said: “You would be surprised to know that as many as 90 projects which are full of water like dams have been built, but there is no way to provide water to farmers.”
He added: “Now, my government is working to provide water from these projects and once it is completed, around 80 lakh hectares will get water. And once water reaches there, you all can think how much that land will give us back.”
The Prime Minister spoke of funds from MNREGA program to be utilized this summer for creation of assets such as ponds to conserve water.
“About MNREGA, many discussions take place, but no asset has been created. This government is emphasizing… during this summer in every village, one work should be done through MNREGA and that is desilting of ponds, deepening of ponds and creating new ones. -PTI
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