Change farming methods to improve condition: Fadnavis to farmers

Amravati Blaming the previous NCPCongress dispensation for the plight of farmers Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today advised the farmers to adopt new farming methods and vowed not to rest till a positive change is brought in their livesInaugurating a national festival on agriculture and orange here this afternoon Fadnavis asked Why has our farmer become a pleader He then himself replied it was because he did not resort to change did not adopt modern technology and did not experimentIf our farmer is to be affluent again this must change Unless the traditional farming is blended with modern technology the lot of farmers will not improve he said Attacking the Congress and NCP for exploiting farmers during their 15year rule he said they never thought of their welfare and instead looted themNow when we levied surcharge on liquor cigarette to raise funds to meet the drought situation they are critical of our decision But when they were in power why didnt they see farmers plight he asked The BJPled Government will not rest till it makes farmers prosperous once again he saidThe bureaucracys mindset also must change Fadnavis said adding he was now out with a hunter to punish any Government employee coming in the way of protecting farmers interest He lamented that results of research being done at National Research Centre for Citrus Nagpur is not reaching the orange cultivatorsFarmers must get the benefit of research but that is not happening he said The Chief Minister said Israel has set a model before the world in agriculture despite being a rainstarved country This it could do because the farmers there adopted modern technology and undertook various experiments and shared the success with others the CM saidOur orange is a good table fruit and for its global marketing it is necessary to create an export arrangement We have decided to send orange containers to Bahrain Singapore Dubai this year he added The CM announced to set up a dehydration project in Warud this year and undertake steps for value addition and marketing of orangesHe also agreed to set up an orange juice processing unit with Government funding in Morshi in the district but stated it would become viable only if it was marketed under some brand name Fadnavis said he has asked top officials to contact big names like Pepsico to market the orange juiceIf any global brand shows interest we will not hesitate to bring them to our state by offering concessions he said Fadnavis also announced to make available Government land to set up orange stalls in 10 major cities of the State so that the fruit can be marketed thereThe state has been facing crisis ever since his Government assumed power in October last year Fadnavis said adding 24000 villages faced drought during kharif season If farmers are to be pulled out of his situation there is no alternative to assured irrigation he said and added that the Governments flagship programme of Jalyukta Shivar was proving a great success in this directionThe project involves deepening and widening of streams construction of cement and earthen stop dams work on nullahs and digging of farm ponds In the last 8 months one lakh works have been completed in 6000 villages under the project and by March end next they will have become droughtfree he saidHe said this programme was even hailed by the world when Magsaysay awardee water conservationist Rajendra Singh spoke about it at a conference in Stockholm Speaking on the occasion Agriculture Minister Eknath Khadse said the Government is mulling to provide insurance cover to 135 crore farmers in the StateThe Government would take care of the insurance premium payment Khadse said Under the insurance cover if a farmer meets with death for any reason his family will get Rs 2 lakh he said Khadse said a lifelong security will thus be granted to the farmers under the schemeThe Minister urged farmers not to commit suicide We are ready to help you financially Farmers committing suicide is not only a painful thing but also a curse on the Government he added He also said the BJPled Government will come out with an integrated package for the orange growers