Bhopal: Chief Minister Kamal Nath has said that it is necessary to create new schemes keeping in mind the changing agricultural scenario in the interest of the farmers. He urged the National Agriculture and Rural Development Bank (NABARD) to draft the state’s agricultural policy in view of the changed agricultural scenario in Madhya Pradesh. He told them to seek support of the farmers, agricultural experts and institutions related to agriculture business in this regard.
The Chief Minister was addressing the State Credit Seminar of National Agriculture and Rural Development Bank (NABARD) at the Mantralaya on Wednesday. The Chief Minister released the State Focus Paper of NABARD. He felicitated NABARD-assisted self-help groups, Kisan Product Committees for their good performance.
Nath said that the challenge of the agricultural sector at the time of formation of NABARD was to remove the shortage of food grain. Today, the challenges are to increase access to foodgrains and storage from excessive production. The challenge is to give the farmer the right value of his product. The Chief Minister appreciated the efforts made to increase the credit facilities for farmers in the agricultural sector and strengthen the agricultural infrastructure.
The Chief Minister said that crop loan waiver is not a permanent solution to the problems of farmers. This is an instant remedy to bail them out of crisis because debt creates psychological pressure. Now it is time to adopt diversified farming for additional benefit. Earlier NABARD encouraged soybean processing and oil industry, then emphasized on maize production. Similarly, priorities of agricultural sector also vary.
Nath said that the time has come to market agricultural products in limited geographical area now. A food park can be set up in 4-5 districts where the products made can be sold as the brand of the same districts. It is difficult to say whether such brands will remain in the market economy, but farmers will benefit from this. He said that initiative must be taken to form the agriculture policy taking into account the new dimensions of agriculture.
He said that horticulture and food processing are the fastest growing sectors. A large sector of flower production is emerging in horticulture. He told to study such areas where the possibilities of emerging new food parks are being created so that the strategy can be made beforehand. He said that when the purchasing power of farmers will increase, only then the economy of the areas connected with agriculture will also improve.