Bathinda, July 12:
The Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led State Government is undertaking specialized efforts for the welfare of the farmers and bolstering agriculture with modern techniques and would go full steam against the menace of spurious seeds, fertilizers and the pesticides. The Government would also go tough against every kind of mafia besides investigating the Gujarati seeds issue which were sold to the farmers by keeping them in the dark.
These views were expressed today by the Rural Development and Panchayats, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal while visiting the fields of Villages namely Jodhpur Romana, Fullo Mitthi, Pakka Kalan, Dunewala, Tarkhanwala and Gurusarsaine Wala to conduct a survey regarding pink bollworm and white mosquito.
During his visit, the Minister assured the farmers that the Government won’t let any harm come to their crops. He also said that marketing would be emphasized in order to boost the cultivation of Maize on the pattern of Moongi and other allied crops which would give impetus to the crop diversification. On the occasion, the Minister also directed the officers to initiate strict action against many petrol pump owners who force the farmers to buy more items in addition to the necessary ones and suspend the licences of such petrol pump owners.
Interacting with the mediapersons, the Minister reiterated that the State Government stands firmly with the farming community and is undertaking special efforts to modernize the agriculture in order to make it a profitable venture and take it out of the wheat and paddy cycle. “The teams appointed by the department would again visit the fields on July 28th to take stock of the cotton crop”, said the Minister.
The Minister also apprised that the Agriculture Department has formed a three Member Flying Squad for prevention of Pink bollworm and white fly. A helpline number would also be released soon which would benefit the common people in large measure. The 230 departmental teams today inspected the cotton crop at 757 places out of which white fly has been found at 370 while pink bollworm has been detected at 14 places and that too in very small measure. Further, if any seller is found selling spurious pesticides or charges more rate than those fixed then strong action would be taken, added Mr. Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal.
Earlier, the Minister held a special meeting at the District Administrative Complex with the officers of 7 districts of Malwa belt where cotton is down. The Districts apart from Bathinda included Sri Muktsar Sahib, Mansa, Fazilka, Barnala, Faridkot and Sangrur. During the meeting, the Minister took report from the officers regarding efforts made till today with regard to protecting the cotton crop from pink bollworm and the white fly. He also gave directions to the officers to double their efforts in this regard including holding camps.
Among others present on the occasion included the ACS (Development) Sarbjit Singh, DC Shaukat Ahmed Parray, Director Agriculture Gurvinder Singh, Chief Agricultural Officer Pakhar Singh and experts from the PAU, Ludhiana.
Discussions
Discussions
