Ranchi: On the occasion of World Tribal Day on August 9, the Jharkhand government will try to give a new identity to the farmers of state in a programme which is going to be organized at the project building.
On the eve of the programme, Agriculture Secretary Abu Bakr Siddikh, who took stock of the preparations, informed that for the farmers KCC card and Chief Minister livestock distribution programme will be held which will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Hemant Soren while Agriculture Minister Badal will also be present on the occasion.
The Secretary informed that hundred farmers of the state have been invited in the main programme. At the same time, farmers will also come to all the district headquarters and will be connected to the main programme in Ranchi through virtual medium. For the first time, this programme will be organized in all the blocks as well he said adding that during the programme the Chief Minister will also have virtual talks with the farmers of Dumka and Bokaro.
The Agriculture Secretary said that under the Chief Minister’s Livestock Distribution Program, livestock would be distributed among the beneficiaries. He informed that during the financial year 2020-21, approval was given for distribution of livestock worth Rs 154 crore among 40,000 beneficiaries. In the current financial year 2021- 22, the target is to distribute livestock among 2,646 beneficiaries at a cost of Rs 147.71 crore. He informed that arrangements have also been made for the beneficiary of livestock along with its fodder, boring for water and construction of sheds to keep the animals.
The Agriculture Secretary said that the government is focusing on Kissan Credit Card to save the farmers from lack of capital in farming with this while the farmers will get working capital from banks at low interest rate moreover the farmers will also not get trapped in the debt trap of moneylenders with high interest rate. He said that 6,86,661 applications have been received from farmers for KCC since April this year out of these, 1,39,434 applications have been approved. The process of approval of the balance is in progress.
He informed that Hazaribagh Market Committee has got the seventh position in the whole country, presenting a model of better work and this is a big achievement for the state. During the programme, Hazaribagh Bazar Committee will be rewarded at the hands of the Chief Minister.
Agriculture Secretary said that Jharkhand also has an identity of a large vegetable producer. The state government is also serious about its systematic marketing as getting vegetables to the market on time is a challenge. In this regard, the government has taken an initiative to provide 50 pick-up vans to the vegetable seller cooperative union through Vegfed as this will make it possible for the vegetables to reach the market before they go bad.
Agriculture Director Nisha Oraon, Fisheries Director HN Dwivedi and Animal Husbandry Director Shashi Prakash Jha, other officers and employees of the Agriculture Department were present.