National
Focus needed on organic farming and allied sectors to increase income: Modi
New Delhi/Pune, Aug 24 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday made an appeal to bring focus on organic farming and allied sectors in order to empower farmers and increase their income.
“Farming is not just about growing wheat, mustard, pulses. Farmers’ income can be increased if focus is given on allied sectors along with the organic farming,” Modi said while addressing an event organised by Bharatiya Agri Industries Foundation (Baif) in Pune through video conferencing.
He said there was “a global demand” for medicinal and aromatic plant species grown in India.
“There is economic scope for organic as well as medicinal and aromatic plants cultivation. We need to bring awareness among farmers about it. People want freedom from chemicals. A huge market for natural products in emerging,” he said.
Modi added that machines to extract fragrance from flower were not costly.
He said tribals in Gujarat’s Dahod districts had brought their farms under floriculture.
“They can sell (flower) extract in the cosmetic market now,” he said.
He said that there was “huge potential” for organic farming in the northeastern states.
Stressing on need to empower farmers, Modi said: “If we do not empower our farmers, our dream of new India will remain unfulfilled. So the government is working to double their income by 2022.”
Modi said that progressive farmers and agriculture departments were supposed to inform farmers about any farm product or material can be used.
“Nothing is wasted. Even residue of sugarcane can be used to produce ethanol. We are working on it. According to a study, an organic farmer can earn additional Rs 2 lakh by setting up small 50 bee colony unit. Bees play important role in organic farming especially in pollination,” he said.
Modi said that the approach of agriculture schemes had changed as they were not just production-centric but they had become income-centric as well.
He also listed schemes such as soil health cards, crop insurance, electronic marketing and revolution in fishing, apiculture that were launched for welfare of farmers.
–IANS
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National
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.