Patna, December 25 (ABN) Agriculture Minister Ram Krupal Yadav said on Thursday that today Bihar is ahead in fruit and vegetable production and is gaining recognition globally through products like Makhana and Lichi.
Addressing the inaugural session of the state-level farmers' seminar under "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan", Agriculture Minister Ram Krupal Yadav said that Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee was not just a Prime Minister but a philosophy and the voice of the nation. He believed that "when the farmer is prosperous, the nation will be prosperous" and this is still the basic principle of our agricultural policies today.
Mr. Yadav said that in 1965, Atal ji had added "Jai Vigyan" to the slogan of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri's "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan", presenting the concept of a mix of national security, agriculture, and science. The concept of a mix of science was presented. Through Pokhran nuclear tests, India's self-reliance and security commitment were strongly presented to the world. Today, taking this thought forward, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the slogan of "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan" and has made research and innovation the backbone of a self-reliant India. Bihar is an agricultural state, so empowering farmers is our top priority.
The Agriculture Minister said that farmers are not only our annadata but also our malik. He said that whoever harms the farmers will not be forgiven and strict action will be taken against those with anti-farmer mentality. The government stands with the farmers in every happiness and sorrow.
The Minister informed that under the agricultural road map implemented in Bihar since 2008, there has been a historic increase in the production of food grains including paddy, wheat, and maize. Today, Bihar is among the leading states in fruit and vegetable production and has gained global recognition through products like Makhana and Lichi.
The Agriculture Minister said that there was a time when India had to import grains, but today, due to the hard work of our farmers and the cooperation of scientists, we have become capable of exporting fruits, vegetables, and grains to other countries. He said that he wants Bihar's agricultural production to reach every corner of the world. The government's goal is to make Bihar the top state in the agricultural sector.
On this occasion, Principal Secretary of Agriculture Pankaj Kumar said that a permanent solution to the problems of farmers is possible on a technical basis. That's why the Kisan Call Center has been made active so that farmers can get timely advice and solutions. He said that through "Ease of Agriculture", Bihar's agriculture can be taken to new heights with more production in less time, better profit, three crops a year, and continuous innovation, in which the role of trained and skilled youth will be decisive.