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Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that protecting the health of the earth is our highest duty.
“The reckless use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to increase production has badly affected the health of the Earth and the quality of the soil. This has also had a bad effect on human health,” said Shri Chouhan, in his Inaugural Address to the G20 1st Agriculture Deputies Meeting (ADM) of Agriculture Working Group (AWG) at Indore today.
Stressing upon adoption of technology that is eco-friendly, Shri Chouhan said it is necessary to adopt the campaign of Natural Farming started by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
“India has believed for centuries that nature should not be exploited, we should only harness natural resources. For the natural balance, it is necessary for humans as well as animals and birds to exist,” he said.
Shri Chouhan said, due to the ever-increasing population, food security is an important issue facing the world today.
“Only 12 percent of the world’s land is suitable for agriculture. By the year 2030, the demand for food grains will be 345 million tonnes, while in the year 2000, this demand was 192 million tonnes. It is evident that neither the agricultural land is going to increase nor our natural resources are going to increase,” he said.
Shri Chouhan said we should also make appropriate efforts to increase the productivity of agricultural land. “For this, the use of mechanization, digitalization, new technology and new seeds will have to be encouraged continuously,” he said.
Shri Chouhan said that under the leadership of PM Modi, there has been continuous improvement in the agriculture growth rate in Madhya Pradesh for a decade.
“The state has made a significant contribution in meeting the country’s food grains needs. The state has been at the first position in the production of oilseeds in the country. Madhya Pradesh has 60 percent participation in the production of Soy in the country. Madhya Pradesh is the largest producer of wheat in the country. We have made every possible effort to increase production in the state. In this, the work of increasing the irrigation area is noteworthy. In the year 2003, only 7.5 lakh hectare of area was irrigated in the state. By increasing this, now we are irrigating 45 lakh hectare area. Our target is to provide irrigation facilities in 65 lakh hectares. The use of new technology and good seeds is being encouraged in the state to increase production,” he said.
Shri Chouhan said, besides increasing production, it is also necessary to reduce the cost of production.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Modi, continuous efforts are going on to provide the necessary support to the farmers, to reduce the cost of production and to make farming a profitable business. In this direction, initiatives are also being taken to help the farmers with the use of new economical technology and mechanization. Loans are being made available to the farmers at zero percent interest. A fixed amount is made available to the farmers every year in the Kisan Samman Nidhi, an initiative of PM Modi. In this, Madhya Pradesh has also added its own amount. Its objective is to support the farmer in the cost of agriculture,” he said.
Shri Chouhan said it is also necessary to provide fair prices to the farmers for their produce.
“The concept of Minimum Support Price is applicable in India. Along with this, the State and Central Government are also active in helping the farmers in case of natural calamity,” he said.
Shri Chouhan said that PM Modi has taken up the task of promoting traditional millets in the form of a campaign.
“Millets have been named as “Shri Anna” by PM Modi. The United Nations has also declared this year as International Year of Millets. Let us make every possible effort that these nutritious grains do not disappear from the earth,” he said.
On the sidelines of the G20 1st ADM, Shri Chouhan also inaugurated an exhibition that showcased the potential, achievements and progress made by Agriculture and Allied Sectors with special emphasis on Millets. The Chief Minister visited various stalls and keenly observed the agricultural products. Animal Husbandry and Fisheries stalls along with Millets and its value-added food products were the center of attraction in the exhibition.
Thereafter, two side events namely: Stock taking of G20 initiatives and Global Forum on Climate Smart Agriculture on Food Security, were held on the first day of the three-day meeting. Along with participation of the delegates, side events also witnessed the presence of various organizations and individuals of repute.
Following the deliberations, the day concluded with the delegates enjoying the Kisan mela, live counters, DIY stalls and the cultural event, which gave them a flavour of local culture and cuisine. Earlier, Shri Chouhan also addressed a press conference and interacted with the media.
Early this morning, the day started with the heritage walk at Rajwada Palace where the delegates got an opportunity to indulge in the history of the palace, which was built by the Holkars in 18th century.
Union Minister of Civil Aviation & Steel, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia will address the Conference tomorrow, following which there will be general discussion among the participating members and International Organizations.
Day Three will be dedicated to the deliberations on the key deliverables of the AWG. It will be a technical session with round about discussions and participation from all concerned members and international organizations.
Representatives of G-20 member countries, guest countries and international organizations are attending the three day 1st Agriculture Deputies Meeting (ADM) of Agriculture Working Group (AWG) being held under India’s G20 Presidency, being organized by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India under the stewardship of the Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shri Narendra Singh Tomar.
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