In a big leap forward towards promoting Fish farming in the state as an integral part of crop persification program, Punjab today became the first ever non coastal state of the country to have the regional Centre of Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA).This decision was taken by the Union Agriculture Minister Mr. Radha Mohan Singh in a meeting with the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, who called on the former at his office here at Krishi Bhawan today. It may be recalled that CIFA with its Headquarters at Bhubneshwar (Orissa) was instrumental in promoting the Fishery as a fillip to the allied farming across the country. The Chief Minister, accompanied by state Agriculture Minister Jathedar Tota Singh, impressed upon Mr. Radha Mohan Singh that Punjab has a tremendous scope of Fish farming as already the state was leading the nation in fish productivity. He urged the Union Minister that the Centre must embark a special project for the state so as to encourage the Fish farming in a big way across the state especially in the water logged areas in Southern Punjab having brackish water. Mr. Badal also underlined the need to consider the allied agriculture sector at par with farming so that the farmers could be motivated to adopt the various allied farming activities like Dairy farming, fish farming, piggery, goattery and others. Flagging another issue, the Chief Minister said that for achieving the national objectives of agricultural persification, it was necessary that Dairy, Fisheries and allied Animal Husbandry sectors be given major incentives treated at par with Agriculture for Income Tax and Bank credit purposes. Cold Chain infrastructure also needed to be created for fruits, vegetables, dairy and fishery. Among the other demands put forth by the chief minister was a package of Rs 330 crore for Fisheries projects in the water logged areas of the state, projects for which had already been submitted.
The Chief Minister also strongly advocated the extension of the MSP regime and assured marketing to alternative crops like Maize in order to ensure that the goals of persification be achieved.The Chief Minister also demanded a comprehensive Debt Relief Package for the farmers of the state who are reeling under a debt burden of approximately Rs.30,000 Crore. This, he said, had led to the shocking phenomenon of farmers’ suicides. Debt ridden farmers, he said, were abandoning agriculture and even becoming farm labour.He advocated that loans be extended to small and marginal farmers at an interest rate of 2% for crop loan and 6% for investment credit, and requested that the issue be taken by the Union Ministry of Agriculture with Ministry of Finance and with the Reserve Bank of India. The Chief Minster sought expeditious approval to the Agriculture persification plan of Rs.7921 Crore over a period of five years as submitted to GoI. He said that Dairying, Fishery and other Animal Husbandry sectors should be included in Agriculturepersification Program. The Chief Minister emphasized the need for providing Input subsidy on seed, and agrochemicals.In addition he said that modern marketing infrastructure needed to be given a boost especially for crops like Maize. Steps should be taken through the introduction of MSP and assured marketing facility foralternative crops identified are maize, sugarcane, cotton, fruits & vegetables, agro-forestry, dairy, fisheries etc, said the Chief Minister.
Badal also called for a major push to food processing industry in order to encourage value addition for raising the income levels of the farmers and for encouraging persification. Mr. Badal also demanded greater flexibility in implementation of agriculture and horticulture schemes like RKVY, NHM.Mr. Badal said that the 100 years old irrigation network, built at its own expense by the state, was badly in need for rejuvenation. For this a comprehensive project had already been submitted which, he requested, may be accepted and cleared at the earliest. He sought an assistance for micro irrigation systems be increased from 25-35% to 80%.Responding to the various other issues raised by the Chief Minister, Mr. Radha Mohan assured him that the Union government would extend all sort of help to the state government for ensuring the welfare of the farmers of Punjab. The Union Minister said that he would soon convene a meeting of the officers of his Ministry and evolve a strategy to resolve the issues raised by Mr. Badal in the larger interest of the farmers of the state.
The Union Minister also assured Mr. Badal of all support to fight against possible challenges from deficient rains in Punjab. Mr. Radha Mohan Singh also lauded the role played by the hard working and resilient farmers of the state in providing food security to the country. He also assured the Chief Minister that the Union government would leave no stone unturned to bail out the Punjabi farmers from the current agrarian crisis. The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Advisor on National Affairs and Media Mr. Harcharan Bains, Principal Secretary Mr. SK Sandhu, Financial Commissioner Development Mr. Suresh Kumar and Special Principal Secretary Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar.