Centre Assures Full Support to Punjab for Agriculture, Water Conservation: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan met Punjab Chief Minister Shri Bhagwant Mann in New Delhi .

During the meeting, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan held discussions with Shri Bhagwant Mann on various issues related to agriculture and farmer welfare in Punjab. The high-level discussion focused in detail on problems being faced in paddy milling, promotion of crop diversification, conservation of water resources, and sustainable agricultural development through oilseed, pulse, cotton and horticulture missions.

New Delhi, By Staff Reporter :- Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday said that the Central Government will extend every possible assistance to Punjab in all initiatives related to agriculture and water conservation. Addressing the media after a meeting, Shri Chouhan said Punjab has played a historic role in strengthening the country’s food security and continues to remain India’s food bowl. Praising the contribution of Punjab’s farmers to national foodgrain production, he assured full central support to the state in all agriculture-related missions.The Union Minister said benefits of the Government of India’s cotton, pulses, oilseed and horticulture missions, along with other schemes, would be utilised to strengthen Punjab’s agriculture sector and ensure farmers’ welfare.He added that the Centre and the Punjab government would work together to promote crop diversification, conserve water resources and ensure sustainable agricultural development in the state. "Punjab’s fertile land has immense agricultural potential, but there is also a need to pay special attention to water conservation and sustainable farming practices," Shri Chouhan said. The Centre would work with Punjab to ensure that farmers do not suffer losses due to crop diversification, water resources are protected, soil health improves and agriculture becomes more resilient to the effects of climate change, he added. Shri Chouhan also said there is no shortage of fertilisers in the country, but balanced use is necessary to maintain soil health.Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Shri Bhagwant Mann said the state would successfully achieve the wheat procurement target fixed for the current season. He said Punjab would meet the target of procuring 125 lakh metric tonnes of wheat and continue to lead the country in foodgrain production.On Punjab’s demand for additional financial assistance, the Union Minister said the Central Government would continue supporting the state through various agriculture, irrigation and farmer welfare missions. Shri Chouhan also assured that the Punjab government’s proposal to include a state representative in the Central Seed Committee would be considered.