New Delhi: Expressing concern over the poor plight of farmers, Rural Development Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday urged them to grow crops other than wheat and rice to come out of poverty. Farmers can earn more if they have diversification in crops that can be used for manufacturing ethanol, electricity, bio-gas among other products, he said.
"Today, farmers' situation is very bad. We cannot get our farmers out of poverty if they continue to grow only wheat and rice. They have to go for diversification in agriculture," Gadkari said at an agri-award function organised by agro-chemical firm Crystal Crop Protection Ltd.
Highlighting benefits of ethanol, a byproduct of sugarcane, the minister said that ethanol can be used as an alternative fuel for transpiration purpose and reduce the country's import bill on crude oil.
Uttar Pradesh, the country's largest sugarcane producing state, can produce ethanol sufficient to fuel farm and public utility vehicles like tractors and buses, he said, adding that an air-conditioned bus running on ethanol is plying in Nagpur.
Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said the government is focusing on improving soil health, ensuring irrigation in farm field besides bringing poor into the banking system in order to achieve second Green Revolution,.
Soil health cards will be issued under a scheme to all farmers in next three years, while irrigation to farm field will be provided under the proposed 'Pradhan Mantri Gram Sinchai Yojana' in next five years, he said.
A new scheme 'Rashtriya Paramparic Krishi Vikas Yojana' to promote organic farming has also been planned, while efforts are also being made to develop and conserve indigenous cow breeds to raise milk production in the country, he added.
The Minister also said that poor farmers will be benefits from 'Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana' to be launched on Thursday. Awards were given away to 12 progressive farmers for using innovative practices, six scientists for outstanding contribution to agri research, two special jury awards and one NGO which has been working innovatively among farming communities.
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