National
President Kovind launches 3rd phase of Bihar agri road map
Patna, Nov 9 (IANS) President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday launched the much-awaited third phase of Bihar’s Agriculture Road Map (2017-22) here.
The third phase involving an amount of Rs 1.54 lakh crore aims to increase the income of farmers and ensure sustainable development of the sector by emphasising on organic farming through development of organic corridors.
Kovind launched the third phase of the Bihar agriculture road map in the presence of Governor Satya Pal Malik and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at Bapu Savagar of Samrat Ashok International Convention Centre here.
“There is a need to work on water management for agriculture growth and high productivity,” Kovind said.
He said if improved water management was properly implemented on the ground, the next green revolution would take place in Bihar.
Kovind arrived at Patna airport by a special plane and was received by Satyapal Malik, Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi.
This is Kovind’s first official visit to the state after being elected the President of India in July. He was Bihar Governor until his nomination for the presidential election.
Kovind said he was not born in Bihar but Bihar is his place of work. “I am Bihari not by birth but by work and ‘Biharipan’ (traits of a Bihari) is my identity.”
“The third phase of the Bihar Agriculture Road Map (2017-22)’s main thrust is to increase the income of farmers and promote organic farming on a large scale,” Bihar Agriculture Minister Prem Kumar said.
Nitish Kumar in his address said that 76 per cent of Bihar’s population was dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. He claimed that Bihar had recorded growth and improvement in the agriculture sector since the first agriculture road map was implemented for 2008-12, followed by the second one for 2012-17.
“Our rice, wheat, maize, potato and vegetables production have remarkably increased.”
“Now we are ready to implement the Third Agriculture Road Map for Bihar. A few months ago we invited hundreds of farmers from all the 38 districts of the state to provide them with an opportunity to make suggestions on it.
“We listened to their suggestions carefully and considered their views and suggestions and finalised the road map,” he said.
Organic farming is one of the focus areas of the agriculture road map. “We will promote organic farming and help farmers go for it in areas along the river Ganga for protection of the environment.”
According to officials of the state Agriculture Department, the Bihar agriculture road map includes programmes by as many as 12 departments, including Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Power.
Among other objectives, the road map focuses on setting up an exclusive 1,500 MW power network for the agriculture sector to reduce farmers’ dependence on diesel generator sets for farming. The plan also includes an innovative idea of integrating solar power with fisheries.
The state government is also working on a plan to connect villages with a population of more than 250 people through the road network to provide them access to wholesale markets.
It also targeted raising the irrigation capacity of the state from 82 per cent in 2012 to 159 per cent this year and further to 209 per cent by 2022 broadly through 14.64 lakh private tubewells.
–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.