CHIEF MINISTER Shivraj Singh Chouhan today said agro-industries and agriculture market mechanism would be integrated to ensure optimum benefits to farmers.
He further said a group of officials, ministers and peoples’ representatives would initiate dialogue with farmers to understand their problems and provide lasting solutions to them.
Chouhan was addressing the inaugural session of ‘Agri Destination Madhya Pradesh-2006’ organised jointly by Madhya Pradesh Chapter of Confederation of Indian Industry and Agriculture Processed Food Products Export & Development Authority (APEDA) here today.
Chief Minister said the agriculture sector was the top priority of the State Government. Cultivation of horticulture crops and medical flora would be promoted apart from conventional farming and a strong marketing network would be put in place.
In view of the potential of bio-farming, he said organic farming was also being encouraged. In addition, steps were also being taken to promote agro industries at the micro-level in rural areas to create rural employment opportunities. Safeguarding the interests of farmers, private participation in agriculture would also be promoted, he added.
Discussing problems against the backdrop of emerging challenges in farm sector, Chief Minister said the State Government was committed to ensure basic facilities to farmers like power, water and a marketing network.
{{/usCountry}}Discussing problems against the backdrop of emerging challenges in farm sector, Chief Minister said the State Government was committed to ensure basic facilities to farmers like power, water and a marketing network.
{{/usCountry}}Farmers would be motivated to adopt allied agro-based business to make agriculture profitable. Chouhan further said efforts would be made to highlight priorities and specialties of State’s farm sector at the national level.
Setting up of a special cell for the purpose would also be thought of, he said. Agriculture Minister Chandrabhan Singh, chairman of Madhya Pradesh chapter of CII Vipin Mullick, APEDA’s assistant general manager U K Utsa, regional head Asia Robo India Finance Rajesh Shrivastava, director general National Institute of Agriculture Marketing A Bhatnagar, Agriculture Production Commissioner Subrato Banerjee, representatives of bodies in agri-business participated in the discussion on various issues concerning agriculture.