On the occasion of International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples on Monday, chief minister Hemant Soren handed over kisan credit cards to a group of farmers and rolled out a Mukhyamantri Pashudhan Yojana by dedicating the special day to farmers.
Soon after, benefits of various agricultural schemes of the state government were distributed among 2 lakh farmers across Jharkhand.
Hemant also provided a letter of appreciation to Hazaribagh Krishi Bazar Samiti for being featured among the nation's top 10 samitis (mandis) for successful utilization of e-NAM, a Government of India-supported online market platform for agricultural trading. He also provided 50 vans to vegetable growers of Vegfed.
Chief minister Hemant Soren speaking at a function on farmers at Project Building in Ranchi on Monday. The Telegraph picture
Addressing the state-level programme at Project Building, Hemant said that all farmers of Jharkhand would henceforth be recognised as Birsa Kisan. He also promised to provide eggs in meals of children in government schools six days a week to fight malnourishment.
“This is the land of the great Bhagwan Birsa Munda. Farmers are our annadata. Hence, we have decided to name them Birsa Kisan from now on. It is to give them a distinct identity among farmers in the country.”
He explained that in Jharkhand the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples was dedicated to farmers as they are the backbone of the state and country. “Farmers are my government’s priority. Our aim is not just to assist in farming but set up a holistic ecosystem so that the tradition of farming is strengthened. Ironically, over the years, farmers have turned into labourers due to various challenges. My focus is to reverse that,” he said, adding that while the state was known for its mineral resources, his government’s priority was to look beyond it.
“In the last 100 years, only minerals have been excavated by the rich from here to make others prosper. People here are still struggling for basic resources. Agriculture is one such thing which was once a tradition among every household in the village. It needs to be revived and strengthened in order to prosper,” he said.
Agriculture secretary Abu Bakr Siddique said that in the last two months, the government had held special drives in all the districts to enroll farmers for kisan credit cards. “Of the 6,51,531 people enrolled, banks have approved cards for 1,23,405. The remaining will be approved gradually. About 38 lakh farmers don’t have KCC,” he said.
About the pashudhan scheme, he said Rs 147.71 crore had been earmarked to provide welfare measures to 62,644 beneficiaries. Under the scheme, farmers will be provided all kinds of assistance for setting up diary, poultry or piggery.
Among those present at the function were state agriculture minister Badal Patralekh, agriculture department officials and farmers.
Patralekh spoke on the achievements of his department, especially the loan waiver scheme for farmers which was being implemented for the first time in Jharkhand. “Currently, farming contributes to 12 per cent of state’s GDP. We want to increase its contribution to 20 per cent," he said.
