Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar inaugurates packhouse, crop cluster centre in Karnal
SGT Times Reporter
Chandigargh, December 28
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday inaugurated Integrated Pack House cum Crop Cluster Centre at Taraori in Karnal district set up at a cost of about Rs. 5.50 crore. In this, tomatoes, bitter gourd, ghee and okra, and other vegetables produced by the farmers can be stored for a long time, which will give good profits to the farmers. The Chief Minister congratulated the FPO and farmers on the setting up of the Pack House. Haryana Agriculture Minister JP Dalal was also present on the occasion.
After the inauguration, the Chief Minister said that this packhouse would play an important role in promoting agricultural diversification and help in achieving the aim of the Haryana Government of doubling the income of the farmers. This is the 7th packhouse of the state, for which the government has given a loan of Rs. 5.50 crore, on which a subsidy of about Rs. 4 crores will be given. To encourage small farmers, the Haryana government is giving such loans, on which heavy subsidy is provided. He said that 50 more pack houses and crop cluster centres would be established in the state, which would increase the income of the farmers. To encourage the farmers of the state to make such pack houses, 70 to 80 percent subsidy is given, for strengthening them financially.
Along with increasing the income of farmers, pack houses will also serve as an employment opportunity for workers.
The Chief Minister said that this packhouse has facilities for washing, sorting, cleaning, packing, and cold storage of vegetables, so that vegetables can be kept safe for a long time. This will increase the income of the farmers as well as the laborers working in the fields. With the construction of this packhouse of Taraori, a group of 272 farmers i.e. Farmer Product Organisation will help in the storage of vegetables grown in about 600-700 acres. He said that with the formation of integrated packhouse, the income of the farmer would increase as well as the workers would get work which will help improve their financial condition.
Khattar said that the government is determined to increase the income of farmers and new steps are being taken for this. The benefits of schemes related to farmers are now being sent directly to the accounts. For the prosperity of the farmers, Kisan Samridhi Shivir is being organized by the Agriculture and allied departments, in which Agriculture, Horticulture, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry departments are participating.
The government is also constantly making efforts for the expansion of the mandis
The Chief Minister said that along with promoting organic farming in the state, efforts are being made to strengthen the risk management systems by implementing insurance schemes for the compensation of water in agriculture. The agricultural sector has seen rapid progress in terms of products such as fruits, vegetables, dairy, and fisheries. With this achievement of our progressive farmers, farmers of other states of the country are getting inspired to work in this direction. The government is also striving to expand its mandis by strengthening proper processing technology and infrastructure while maintaining diversification in the agriculture sector.
The CM said that the government is working with the spirit of Antyodaya so that the benefits of government schemes reach the last person. Under the Mukhyamantri Antyodaya Parivar Utthan Yojana, a target has been set to increase the income of 1.5 lakh families with an annual income of Rs 1 lakh in the first phase. Under the Parivar Pehchan Patra, the data of 66 lakh families of the state has been made available, on the basis of which Antyodaya Gramodaya Melas are being organized to increase their income.
Khattar called upon the farmers to cultivate other crops like fruits, flowers, vegetables instead of paddy. He said that groundwater is available in limited quantities. To save it in the future, we should leave paddy cultivation and grow other crops. Today, the government is also giving an incentive amount of Rs. 7,000 to the farmers who give up paddy cultivation and sow other crops.
The Chief Minister launched the Haryana Pragatisheel Kisan Samman Yojana and Reclamation of Water Logged and Saline Soil portal, on which farmers can register themselves and avail benefits. Registration has started from today. The last date for registration is January 15.
Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department, Dr. Sumita Misra, MLA, Indri Ram Kumar Kashyap, MLA, Nilokheri, Dharampal Gonder were present during the programme.
