Ranchi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Thursday announced that the state government will give status of Agriculture to lac cultivation and will also announce its minimum support price.
Addressing a Kissan Mela cum exhibition at the Indian Institute of Natural Resigns and Gums at Namkum here he said that the state government is committed for the empowerment and making the farmers stand on their feet for which many schemes are being operated through which the farmers are being provided grants loan and other necessary facilities. He said that recently the Mukhyamantri Pashudhan Yojana has been started and apart from that loan waiver has been also announced for the farmers. He said that all possible steps will be taken so that the farmers can get their due rights.
The Chief Minister that for encouraging agriculture and agriculture based industries new godowns and food processing units are being set up and in the entire state 500 new godowns and 224 food processing units are being set up.
The Chief Minister said that farmers are the backbone of the country and therefore the state government was worried over their problems. He said that schemes are being framed for increasing their income. The Chief Minister said farmers are being slowly marginalised which is a matter of concern. He said that it all necessary steps are being taken for their welfare and claimed that this year the state government has purchased 30 percent more paddy than the previous years.
Hemant Soren said that while on one hand the state has been blessed with natural and mineral reserves and on the other hand forest produce have given a new identity to the state however due to lack of markets and proper production is preventing the farmers from getting the right price of their produce therefore the state government is making efforts to remove these flaws so that more and more farmers can be included with forest produce.
The Chief Minister said that Jharkhand was once known across the country and the world for its lac cultivation but his government was committed to provide value addition to lakh and other forest produce and give them their old recognition. He said that the state is only using 15 percent of its capacity in the area of lac production and was producing 20,000 tonne of lac every year however if the entire potential is utilised then record production will be made in Jharkhand and in which the Indian natural regions and gum institute needed to play an important role.
He said that across the world demand of natural products is increasing therefore there was huge opportunities in the area of lac and other forest produce and even the government was according necessary importance to this sector. He said that the farmers involved in the areas will be provided necessary help so that apart from increase in trade good quality of produce can also be provided.
During his visit to the institute the Chief Minister also planted tree and had a look at the lac producing trees and collected necessary information from the scientists. He suggested that apart from farmers women associated with self help groups should be linked with lac cultivation so that they too can become economically strong and stand on their feet.
The Chief Minister also had a look around the exhibition and interacted with the farmers at their stalls. Those present on the occasion also included Agriculture Minister Badal, Ranchi DC, SSP and others.