11 November2022, Chandigarh: Haryana has been conferred with the India Agribusiness Award-2022 in the category of ‘Best State’ by the Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture, for its outstanding contribution in the areas of policies, programmes, production, inputs, technologies, marketing, value addition, infrastructure and exports in the agriculture sector.
Haryana Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Mr. JP Dalal received the award at a function in New Delhi.
Dalal said that today Haryana has once again proved its mettle in the agriculture sector. He said that Haryana, which is one of the largest contributors to the national food pool, has taken several policy initiatives for diversification and promotion of horticulture and agri-business, adding that the state has mapped around 400 horticultural crop clusters and formed 700 Farmer Producer Organizations.
He asserted that in order to strengthen the backward and forward linkages in the clusters, Haryana has launched an ambitious scheme – Crop Cluster Development Program (CCDP), through Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) with a provision of Rs. 510.35 crore for setting up integrated packhouses.
“So far 30 integrated packhouses have been established and work on 35 others is in progress. A total of 100 such integrated packhouses are targeted to be set up by the end of the current financial year,” said Mr. JP Dalal.
The Agriculture Minister further said that in order to ensure the ultimate value chain for the farmers and agricultural products, a total of 37 agriculture sector companies have executed 54 Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with 34 FPOs for trading and marketing of FPO products with buy-back mechanism to promote agri-business activities. He said that in a short span of 10 months, trade of 13,400 metric tonnes of horticulture products has been carried out; of which work worth Rs 14 crore has been completed and it is expected to exceed Rs 200 crore.
Mr. JP Dalal said that Haryana has been a pioneer in price protection through ‘Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana (BBY)’ and has encouraged Rs 24 crores (in last three years) for horticulture crops and about Rs 750 crores for Bajra under Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana. “In the year 2021-22, a total of 2.41 lakh farmers were covered from Rs 437 crore, while in 2022-23, about 2.25 lakh farmers were covered from Rs 310 crore. Haryana is a leader in technology showcase and has established 11 Centers of Excellence with national and international collaborations,” he said.
He further said that a premium horticulture training institute has also been set up in the state under the National Skill Mission for training more than 2,500 farmers and entrepreneurs through weekly, monthly and annual programs. “The farmer welfare policies of the state have contributed exceptionally in supporting the farmers and playing a leadership role in diversification through technologies, innovations and agri-business in India,” he added.
Haryana at forefront of agriculture and animal husbandry: Union Minister Sanjeev Balyan
While praising Haryana for the achievement, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Mr. Sanjeev Balyan said that Haryana is at the forefront in the field of agriculture and animal husbandry. He said that there is a need to connect agriculture and business, which will prosper the farmers of the country more and connect the youth. He said that along with the government, scientists, intellectuals and researchers will have to come forward and work together to make the farmers lead and thrive.
Ganaur’s horticulture market will be better than Paris and Spain markets
Mr. JP Dalal said that Asia’s biggest horticulture market is going to be set up in Ganaur, Haryana and with its formation; not only the farmers of Haryana but the farmers of the whole country will be benefitted. The market will cater to the people with items related to agriculture like vegetables, fruits, flowers, fish and dry fruits etc at one place. “This market will be much better than the markets in Paris and Spain. Haryana does not lag behind from taking any new steps within the agriculture sector,” he added.
Haryana agriculture policies best in the country
Mr. JP Dalal said that the farmers of Haryana are promoting the economy of the country by cultivating food grains, fruits, vegetables and flowers. “The policies of Haryana in the agriculture sector are the best in the country. We have the best mandis and give maximum MSP on the crops of the farmers,” he added. He further said that Haryana is moving ahead in the field of horticulture, with a Centre of Excellence in collaboration with Israel and the farmers of the state are provided with saplings on subsidy.
Haryana farmers capable and prosperous
Mr. JP Dalal said that the farmers of Haryana are capable and prosperous. He said Haryana has been working intensely in the agriculture sector. “Laying a network of canals, providing electricity from village to village, providing facilities to the farmers; Haryana is a progressive state for the farmers,” he asserted. Mr. JP Dalal said that the country’s Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi had given the target of setting up 1,000 FPOs and moving forward in this direction, 700 FPOs have been set up in the state and the target will be achieved soon.
On the occasion, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department Smt. Sumita Misra, Director General Horticulture Mr. Arjun Saini among other senior officials were also present.
