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Farmers, scientists need to work together to transform agriculture: Modi
New Delhi, March 17 (IANS) Indian farmers and the scientists have to work together to transform agriculture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday.
Addressing a gathering at the Krishi Unnati Mela at Pusa Campus here after laying the foundation stone for 25 Krishi Vigyan Kendras or agricultural science centres, he said that on this day he has had the opportunity to simultaneously speak to two sentinels of ‘New India’ — the farmers and the scientists.
Appreciating the farmers’ spirit and hardwork, Modi underlined that at present there was record production of food grains, pulses, fruits, vegetables and milk in the country, but new challenges have come up in agriculture which reduce the farmers’ income and increase their losses.
He said the government’s aim remained to double the farmers’ incomes and it has decided that for all notified crops, the minimum support price (MSP) would be “at least one and a half times the cost” of the crop.
Modi said that for this purpose, the ‘cost’ would include elements such as labour, rent for machinery, cost of seeds and fertilizers, revenue being given to the state government, interest on working capital and rent of leased land.
The Prime Minister also said that honey-bees could be an important source of additional income for farmers and dwelt on the benefits of solar farming. He said about 2.75 lakh solar pumps have reached farmers in the last three years.
The Prime Minister also spoke of the Gobar Dhan Yojana for creating compost, bio-gas etc from bio-waste.
Modi said that the government was working to ensure that farmers get modern seeds, adequate power supply, and easy market access.
He said that along with the Green Revolution and White Revolution, the country should now also focus on Organic Revolution, Water Revolution, Blue Revolution and Sweet Revolution.
He said the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) would play a key role in this regard.
The Prime Minister also launched an e-marketing portal for organic products and gave away the Krishi Karman Awards and the Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Krishi Protsahan Puraskar.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.