Terming agriculture as the backbone of Indian economy, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today urged the Government of India to strengthen the agriculture and its allied sector for giving major fillip to overall fiscal health of the country. Addressing the gathering here during the eighth national livestock championship and expo here at Guru Gobind Singh stadium, the Chief Minister said that Indian economy was agrarian in nature as more than 60% people were directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture. He said that even majority of industry was also dependent on it for raw material and other inputs. Henceforth, Mr. Badal said that it was the need of the hour to strengthen the agriculture and allied sector for making India a prosperous, healthy and advanced nation. Recalling the stellar role played by Punjab in development of the country, the Chief Minister said that earlier despite of around two percent area the hard working and resilient farmers of the state has made the country self reliant in food production by bringing Green revolution. He said that now the farmers of state were on threshold of ushering an era of white revolution by contributing a major chunk of milk at national level. It is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that despite of having two percent cows/buffaloes our farmers were contributing 10% of total milk production in the country. Buoyed over the massive participation of cattle rearers from across the country, the Chief Minister said that it was an encouraging sign as it would help the state government to achieve its target of crop diversification by promoting allied farming activities like dairy, fishery, apiary and others. He said that the day was not far off when state would become a leader in the fish, honey and milk production in the country.
Badal said that this would play a pivotal role in improving the economic condition of farmers who was facing huge crisis due to diminishing returns from agriculture. Reiterating the firm commitment of state government to bail out the farmers of the state, the Chief Minister said that Punjab Government was offering huge subsidies to farmers for encouraging them to adopt allied farming activities. Likewise he said special thrust has been laid for making the farmers aware about various schemes started by state government to promote allied farming activities. We are duty bound to help our farmers and I am sure that promotion of allied farming activities can transform the destiny of our peasants by enhancing their income, added Badal.
Patting the Animal Husbandry department for taking massive steps to make this expo a huge success, the Chief Minister said that participation of renowned players of farm machinery and experts during expo and seminars reflect the popularity of this expo. He said that the state government was making all out efforts to strengthen the department for which a massive drive for filling vacant posts and upgrading infrastructure in veterinary hospitals has been started. Mr. Badal said that all these steps were aimed at giving world class facilities to the cattle owners.
Earlier in his address Animal Husbandry Minister Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike hailed the Chief Minister for showing special concern for allied farming sector. He said that due to stupendous efforts of the Chief Minister the state was making rapid strides in development of animal Husbandry sector. Later, the Chief Minister also felicitated the winners of the competition in various categories. He also released the copy of Punjab Veterinary Journal. Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Des Raj Duggha, Advisor Animal Husbandry Dr PK Uppal, Additional Chief Secretary Mr. Mandeep Singh Sandhu, Chairman Punjab Agro Jathedar Dyal Singh Kolianwali, Chairman Punjab Gau Sewa Commission Mr. Kimti Lal Bhagat, President Youth Akali Dal Malwa zone Mr. Kanwarjeet Singh Rozy Barkandi, senior Akali leader Mr. Manjeet Singh Barkandi, Chairman Mr. Tejinder Singh Middukhera, Director Animal Husbandry Dr. HS Sandha, Director Dairy Development Dr. Inderjit Singh and Deputy Commissioner Mr. Jaskiran Singh.