NEW DELHI, 31 October 2016 : To adopt new farming techniques across the country, India's agriculture ministry has decided to initiate integrated farming at 100 Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVKs),also known as agriculture science centre.
With over 645 KVKs, India will gradually increase the integrated farming to all its KVKs in the years to come.
Speaking on this, Indian agriculture and farmers welfare minister, Radha Mohan Singh said that KVKs set up throughout the country play very important role to enhance the income of the farmers and promote agriculture.
Singh also appealed KVKs and state level agriculture officials that they should work with the farmers in very much closed affinity. They were called for to extend their contribution to the farmers for enhancing their income.
First time Agriculture minister communicating with KVK officers
While addressing the scientists of 12 Krishi Vigyan Kendras, State Level agriculture officer, livestock, fisheries and horticulture officers as well as beneficiary farmers through video conferencing, Singh said this was for the first time any Central minister of agriculture had a direct dialogue with KVK Officers as well as beneficiary farmers through video conferencing.
The Minister addressed the experts of Krishi Vigyan Kendra situated in Andhra Pradesh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Goa, Karnataka, Karela, Lakshyadweep, Maharashtra, Orissa, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and Telangana and the State and District level Agriculture Development Officers as well as progressive farmers.
Singh said to the KVKs officers that the farmers require quality seeds, planting materials as well as fertilizers to increase the productivity of their crops. Therefore, the officers must help them through and through.
Check diseases of animals
The minister also mentioned on this eve about the diseases of the animals and their vaccination and added that officers must continue to check the diseases of the animals.
After having put a check on the diseases of the animals, the income of the farmers will increase, Singh stressed.
Singh also appealed the farmers to adopt fisheries so as to double their income and reiterated the state and district level fisheries officers that they should take necessary steps to celebrate the World Fishery Day on 21st November and give support to the farmers in every walk of their agricultural need.
Singh said to the farmers that they should not put the paddy harvesting after weeds but they should utilize this stuff to convert it into bio-fertilizer. Later on the farmers put up their queries before the Union Minister and called for the solution of their problems.
The government is going to take the initiative for opening 106 new KVKs in all newly created and larger districts of the country and reiterated that now in every district of the country is comprised of KVK which will be dedicated for the benefit of the farmers and will sort out the problems.