The Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar has said that our farmers are venerable and adorable like the soldiers, guarding the borders of the country. He said, farmers do a lot of sacrifice to feed the countrymen and added that farming and securing the borders are equally important vocations, which enriches the soul of the country.

Shri Tomar said this at a programme on the ‘Expansion of Horticulture Value Chain in India’ in Pune today. This programme was organized by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, in which people related to horticulture field including farmers, FPOs, start-ups and bankers were present.

Shri Tomar in his address said that if the villages are prosperous and self-reliant, then the country itself will become prosperous and self-sufficient. Shri Tomar said that agriculture is our priority and the backbone of our economy. He said that there is a need to pioneer the agriculture sector because the traditional economy of agriculture and villages is the biggest strength of the country. No matter how adverse the situation, agriculture always proves helpful for our economy. He said that the merchant-entrepreneur should give the maximum price of agricultural produce to the farmer. This will not only make our farmers prosperous but also inspire the next generation to do farming.  

Shri Tomar said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promoted indigenous technology in agriculture in the last 8 years. Shri Modi always lay emphasis on local and traditional methods of farming in tune with modern changing techniques to remain relevant in global competition. The Minister said that Shri Modi has not only talked about increasing the income of farmers, but also took several measures by associating State governments and by directly involving farmers.

Shri Tonar said, that today youth, retired employees, and people associated with the corporate sector are also coming forward for farming. People's interest in organic and natural farming is also increasing. There has been a record export of agricultural products worth Rs. 4 lakh crore.

To promote farming and to raise the standard of living of farmers, schemes like Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan), Agriculture Infrastructure Fund of Rs 1 lakh crore, Digital Agriculture Mission, Drone Technology, e-NAM, PM irrigation are being implemented.

Shri Tomar said that today India is self-sufficient in food grains. India ranks first or second in the world in most agricultural products. Along with food crops, horticulture cultivation is also being promoted. For small farmers, the Central Government started the Horticulture Mission and scheme of FPOs. Efforts are being made that small farmers should do farming together so that they get maximum benefits. By uniting in the FPO and cluster system, the farmers will not have to go to the traders, but the traders will be forced to come to them to buy the produce. He said that along with the production of food grains, the horticulture sector, especially the cultivation of vegetables and flowers, plays an important role in increasing the income of the farmers. Shri Tomar said that it is necessary to pay attention to the cultivation of fruits, vegetables and millets because only food grains will not work for the nutrients.  

Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Mr. Abdul Sattar and State Horticulture Minister Mr. Sandipanrao Bhumre, Union Agriculture Secretary Mr. Manoj Ahuja, Additional Secretary Mr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Joint Secretary Mr. Priya Ranjan, Horticulture Commissioner Mr. Prabhat Kumar, Maharashtra Agriculture Secretary Mr. Eknath Navale were present on this occasion. Shri Tomar honored the farmers and inaugurated the Horticulture Exhibition.

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