Lucknow, 15 July (HS): Under the leadership of Chief

Minister Yogi Adityanath, the state's double-engine government is working with

full commitment to doubling farmers' income and ensuring their prosperity. In

this regard, State Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi held a high-level

meeting with members of the Farmers' Prosperity Commission in Committee Room

No. 8 of the Vidhan Bhavan on Wednesday. He also reviewed the price support

scheme and the work being done by the HCL Foundation in the agricultural

sector.

Addressing the meeting of the Farmers' Prosperity

Commission, the Agriculture Minister stated that the prosperity and well-being

of farmers is the government's top priority. The government is committed to

providing farmers with facilities and resources at every level, from seed to

market. He directed officials to develop an effective action plan to implement

the practical suggestions received from the Commission.

Members of the Farmers' Prosperity Commission, representing

various districts, offered suggestions on various aspects of farmer prosperity.

Members emphasized model farming, organic fertilizers, the use of cow dung,

increasing fertility, irrigation, animal husbandry, storage, natural farming,

integrated farming systems, crop diversification, expanding storage facilities,

and promoting food processing.

To overcome the challenges of natural farming, the members

primarily suggested providing necessary resources to farmers and expanding the

organic fertilizer infrastructure. Service centers should be established for

the maintenance and repair of modern agricultural equipment provided to

farmers, so that farmers can easily maintain equipment other than tractors. The

meeting also discussed promoting modern techniques like organic farming,

natural farming, and drip irrigation to reduce farmers' farming costs,

strengthening local markets, and using digital platforms.

At the meeting, the Chairman of the Cow Service Commission

and respected members of the Farmers' Prosperity Commission shared their

on-the-ground experiences from their respective areas. The Agriculture Minister

welcomed all suggestions and assured them that these suggestions would be

incorporated into agricultural policies, directly benefiting farmers.

The Agriculture Minister then held a meeting with department

officials regarding the Price Support Scheme (MSP). During this, he directed

them to ensure maximum procurement relative to the target, in accordance with

government orders. He emphasized that farmers should receive fair prices for

their produce, which is a priority of the Yogi government.

In another review meeting, the HCL Foundation, in

collaboration with the Agriculture Department, presented a presentation to the

Agriculture Minister on the work being done for the development of farmers. The

Foundation presented a summary of its work as a model in the agricultural

sector. The Agriculture Minister stated that the Agriculture Department would

provide all the support required for the good work being done by the

Foundation.

Minister of State for Agriculture Baldev Singh Aulakh,

Chairman of Gau Seva Aayog Shyam Bihari Gupta, Principal Secretary Agriculture Ravindra,

Principal Secretary Cooperation Ajay Kumar Shukla, Secretary Agriculture Indra

Vikram Singh, Commissioner Cooperation Yogesh Kumar, and Director Agriculture Pankaj

Tripathi, senior officers of the department and members of Krishak Samriddhi

Aayog were present in the meeting.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi