Haryana Allocates Rs 27 Crore For Promotion Of Millets, 20,000 Acres Targeted For Natural Farming

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced a Rs 27 crore project to promote millet cultivation while presenting the state budget for 2023-24. According to Khattar in the state assembly, the state government has also set a target of 20,000 acres of land for the adoption of natural farming in the state.

Khattar proposed an 18.5 percent increase in allocation for agriculture and allied sectors and cooperation at Rs 8,316 crore for the fiscal year 2023-24 while tabling the fourth budget of his second term in office in the state.

"Agriculture and related activities contribute 18.5 percent to the state's economy. Haryana's farmers have made significant contributions to India's economic development." In the house, Khattar said.

According to Khattar, the United Nations has designated 2023 as the International Millets Year, and the government of India is actively promoting millet cultivation and consumption in Haryana.

As per Khattar, a Rs 27 crore project is being prepared to promote millet cultivation through cluster demonstration, distribution of hybrid seeds, certified seed production, and integrated nutrient and pest management.

Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agriculture University (CCS HAU) is establishing a Nutri-Cereals Research Station at Gokalpura in Bhiwani district to improve the productivity of bajra cultivation, which will be operational in 2023, he informed the House.

The government will popularize the consumption of bajra by publishing a recipe book for various bajra-based items.

"I hope Haryana will lead the way in improving bajra cultivation productivity, branding, and marketing through various products," he said.

On natural farming, Khattar said in 2023-24, the government has set a target of 20,000 acres for the adoption of natural farming.

"Gurukul in Kurukshetra and Gharaunda in Karnal have both been designated as training centres. Three more training centres are proposed to be established in Sirsa in 2023-24, at CCS HAU Hisar, HAMETI Jind, and Mangiana "Khattar stated.

"In 2022-23, 2,238 farmers were identified and supported in their adoption of natural farming over 5,906 acres, compared to the target of 2,500 acres set in the budget address last year," the CM said.

The budget also proposed a focus on precision agriculture, which enables climate-smart agriculture by using fertilizers and pesticides sparingly, optimizing water usage through micro-irrigation techniques, crop health monitoring through drone imagery, soil health monitoring, local area disease, and pest surveillance, and increasing the use of solar pumps.

The project will begin in the Sirsa district and, based on the lessons learned, will be phased into other districts, he said.

Taking forward the central government's initiative for the use of 'Kisan drones' in agricultural activities, the government plans to train 500 young farmers in drone operations, according to Khattar.

Source- PTI

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