Baghel inaugurates Indian Horticulture Congress
Raipur, Jan 18
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday said that Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) will be linked with the farming for rapid development of agriculture.
Gram Sabhas will be organized in each gram panchayat on 26th January for earmarking cow sheds and grazing fields in all the villages. The grazing fields will be developed with the assistance of MGNREGA. It will create employment and also fodder for cattle.
Chief Minister was inaugurating the five-day eighth Indian Horticulture Congress at the Indira Gandhi Agriculture University in the capital. He instructed the Director of Agriculture Production to co-ordinate with Panchayat and Rural Development Department and conduct gram sabhas soon. MLAs Mrs. Anita Yogendra Sharma and Miss Shakuntala Sahu, Agriculture Production Director Mr. K. D. P. Rao, Horticulture Society of India Chairman Padmasree Dr. K. L. Chadda, Agriculture University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. S. K. Patil were also present.
Chief Minister said that apart from limited irrigation facilities, the roaming of stray cattle are threatening agriculture development and production. Calling upon the owners to tie the cattle he said that it will reduce the expenses on building fences, dung can be used for organic manure and bio-gas. Mr. Baghel called for establishment of regional office Jabalpur-based Agriculture Products’ Minimum Support Price Fixation in the capital. The farmers do not get remunerative prices for tomatoes, onions and potatoes. The agriculture scientists should guide the farmers as per the local conditions.
Mr. Baghel called upon the scientists to guide the farmers on global farming and ways to conserve the crops. There is increase in the content of hard water due to scanty rains. Research should be conducted in reducing the content of hardness (salt) of water. Around 800 Horticulture experts from various parts of the country and the world are participating in the event. There will be deliberations on fruits, flowers vegetables and other horticulture products. Large number of students and teachers were also present.
