National

Rajasthan bags ICAR award

JAIPUR: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has selected Rajasthan for its prestigious agricultural productivity prize this year. The State’s achievements in the agriculture sector against the backdrop of its difficult geography, scarce resources and land features were taken into account for its selection.

Minister of State for Agriculture Surendra Pal Singh said here that as many as 17 major farm varieties were being produced on a large scale in the State and the use of certified seeds had registered a tremendous increase.

The 12 lakh quintals of seeds produced last year were fully used for crop production.

Mr. Singh said the promotion of horticulture and agriculture-based avocations had improved the economic lot of farmers, while the farmers were themselves using bio-fertilisers on a large scale. A bio-fertiliser laboratory has been established in Jaipur at a cost of Rs. 4 crore.

The Minister said the multinational companies invited to the State were giving remunerative prices to farmers, enabling them to sell their produce in the mandis across the country and even export the produce. Special mandis were established in 19 towns across the State to deal with the area-specific farm produce.

Mr. Singh said Kisan Bhavans would shortly be constructed at all divisional headquarters at a cost of Rs.3.50 lakh each to provide latest information on agricultural techniques and equipment to farmers.

He pointed out that the government was also giving subsidies for establishing cold storages, pack houses and food processing units.

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