Peri-Urban Agriculture can contribute in price
stabilization by contributing in development of important local food production
centres of the diversified food system
Peri-Urban
Agriculture can help climate change adaptation through diversification of food
resources for the urban population: Shri Singh
Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Minister, Shri Radha Mohan Singh said Indian agriculture has made rapid growth
in food, fruits, vegetables, dairy and fishery production. The Minister was
speaking at the inauguration of two-day national level workshop on Peri-Urban
Agriculture, organized by Haryana Agriculture Department. He further said that
the unprecedented development in agricultural production is setting an example
for the world and they are trying to learn our techniques and adopt them. He
said, in the last three years, the Ministry has developed innovative schemes,
provided necessary funds and made policy-making decisions which had a
far-reaching effect on the agriculture sector.
Shri Singh said to achieve the target of
doubling farmers’ income by 2022, set by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra
Modi, the Ministry is not only working towards increasing the production but
also focusing on proper processing techniques, traffic, and market expansion to
make agriculture profitable. He said under Peri-Urban Agriculture small and
large-scale agricultural production will be done in and around the cities.
The Agriculture Minister further said
that Peri-Urban Agriculture can help in climate change adaptation through
diversification of food resources for the urban population. Shri Singh said
due to rapid urbanization in the past years, demand for vegetables, fruits and
flowers is constantly increasing in these areas. Peri-Urban Agriculture can
contribute to price stabilization through the development of important local
food production centres of the diversified food system. This will reduce the
burden on transport, and help in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from cold
storages.
Shri Singh said that, we are developing
a system that will supply food to cities from 100 to 200 km. This will help in
creating attractive employment option and prevent the conversion of
agricultural land near urban areas into cities and towns. The government is
promoting quality in agriculture through food processing and in this regard
Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana has been launched with an allocation of
Rs.6,000 crore rupees.
The Minister said that Mission for
Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) has helped in production and
productivity, post-harvest management and marketing by providing assistance in
the production of quality seeds, protected agriculture, vegetable and organic
farming.
Shri Singh said that, cow and buffaloes
rearing around the cities for milk is an ancient practice. Ministry of
Agriculture has implemented important schemes to promote milk production. The
Minister added said that Rashtriya Gokul Mission was
launched in December 2014 to conserve and develop indigenous breeds in a
focused and scientific manner. The projects have been sanctioned in 27 states
of the country with the funds of Rs.1,077 crore under the Mission to double the
productivity of domestic bovines. Through this process, the species of 41
domestic bovines and 13 mahish bovines is being promoted and developed. A sum
of Rs. 173 crore has been sanctioned for 18 Gokul Grams in 12 states under
Gokul Gram Scheme. For the first time, two National Kamdhenu Breeding Centres
in Chintaldevi district Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, and Itarsi, district
Hoshangabad, MP, with the funds of Rs.50 crore are being established for the
preservation and promotion of domestic bovines in scientific way. With Rs.10
crore, 2 Gokul villages are being set up in Haryana – one in Hisar and one in
Ladwa Gaushala. An announcement has been made for implementation of DIDF (Dairy
Processing and Infrastructure Development Fund) with an outlay of Rs 10,881
crore under the ambitious White Revolution Mission.
Shri Singh said that keeping in view the
tremendous potentialities of fisheries sector our Hon’ble Prime Minister has
declared Blue Revolution. Along with its multi-dimensional activities, the Blue
Revolution focuses on the enhancement of fish production and productivity
through inland and marine fisheries. The government has also started a new
scheme with the name of Deep Sea Fishing under the umbrella of Blue Revolution.
The Agriculture Minister said that the
Ministry is also working on Honey Revolution. The National Bee Board has given
205% more financial assistance in the last three years. The number of bee
colonies increased from 20 lakh to 30 lakh. There has been 20.54% increase in
the production of honey. The center-funded scheme of national beekeeping and
honey mission is also being prepared.
Shri Singh said that through Paramparagat
Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), the government is promoting organic farming in the
country. Under this scheme, farmers are encouraged to form groups for organic
farming. Under Promotion of City Compost, the Government is providing market
development assistance of Rs.1500 per metric tonne.
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SS