Modi shows his ‘farmer-friendly’ side

Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi is set to showcase a global agri-business summit in Gandhinagar from September 9-11, as a complementary to the Vibrant Gujarat global summits he has held for industries.

Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi is set to showcase a global agri-business summit in Gandhinagar from September 9-11, as a complementary to the Vibrant Gujarat global summits he has held for industries.

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The move is seen as an opportunity to show he is not only “industry friendly” but also “farmer friendly” — ahead of his nationwide campaign as BJP’s face for the Lok Sabha elections.

Modi’s exercise will see him interact with farmers from across the country, professionals from agri-businesses, marketing and retail and agricultural scientists and researchers pushing for modernising agriculture.

Modi’s USP is to showcase the sharing of best practices and technologies, providing farmers with right linkages, building partnerships as well as brainstorming the challenges, opportunities and future road map in agriculture.

There will also be a kisan panchayat involving interactive sessions with farmers, field visits and “recognition of progressive farmers.

Aides say Modi wanted the event to be held in January 2014 but changed the dates following his elevation as the head of BJP’s camapign committee for the 2014 polls. He had promised such an event last year, saying it will be held in years alternate to Vibrant Gujarat summits.

Modi wants the event to be made a biennial occurence like Vibrant Gujarat, providing a platform for agri-ecology, agricultural equipment and machinery, agro and food processing, aquaculture, biotechnology, fertilizers, floriculture, horticulture, irrigation, livestock and dairy farming, marketing, export services, organic farming, plant protection, poultry and animal husbandry.