Call to regain lost glory of agriculture

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Follow us:WhatsappFacebookTwitterTelegram.cls-1{fill:#4d4d4d;}.cls-2{fill:#fff;}Google NewsThe state government will support all attempts by the district panchayat to bring back the agricultural glory of the district, said Excise and Fisheries Minister K Babu.Inaugurating the district-level Farmers’ Day observation, jointly organised by the district panchayat and the Agriculture Department, Babu pointed out that, along with achievements in various other fields, the district should make its mark in the agricultural sector.“While banking on traditional farming methods, farmers should utilise the opportunity of mechanisation. Only then can production be increased. The state is yet to cash in on our achievements in the food processing sector.By setting up food processing centres and storage houses and exporting centres, farmers can take advantage of the situation. The Cochin Port and Nedumbassery International Airport have opened new windows of opportunity for the farmers,” he said.Babu added that Kerala should learn lessons from the achievements made by the neighbouring states, and that farmers should be willing to adapt to the new developments in mechanisation and food processing. “The reluctance to change according to the times has already proved costly to us. Kerala has wasted a long time arguing that mechanisation would lead to loss of employment opportunities,” he said.Presiding over the function, district panchayat president Eldhose Kunnappilly said that 40 per cent of the project fund will be set aside for agriculture. “Focus will be on mechanisation of agriculture. Labour banks would be formed in panchayats,” he said.Minister K Babu handed over the district panchayat award for achievements in the agricultural sector to Principal Agricultural Officer Asadevi Varma. District panchayat vice-president Bindu George spoke.first published:August 18, 2012, 10:59 ISTlast updated:August 18, 2012, 10:59 IST
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The state government will support all attempts by the district panchayat to bring back the agricultural glory of the district, said Excise and Fisheries Minister K Babu.

Inaugurating the district-level Farmers’ Day observation, jointly organised by the district panchayat and the Agriculture Department, Babu pointed out that, along with achievements in various other fields, the district should make its mark in the agricultural sector.

“While banking on traditional farming methods, farmers should utilise the opportunity of mechanisation. Only then can production be increased. The state is yet to cash in on our achievements in the food processing sector.

By setting up food processing centres and storage houses and exporting centres, farmers can take advantage of the situation. The Cochin Port and Nedumbassery International Airport have opened new windows of opportunity for the farmers,” he said.

Babu added that Kerala should learn lessons from the achievements made by the neighbouring states, and that farmers should be willing to adapt to the new developments in mechanisation and food processing. “The reluctance to change according to the times has already proved costly to us. Kerala has wasted a long time arguing that mechanisation would lead to loss of employment opportunities,” he said.

Presiding over the function, district panchayat president Eldhose Kunnappilly said that 40 per cent of the project fund will be set aside for agriculture. “Focus will be on mechanisation of agriculture. Labour banks would be formed in panchayats,” he said.

Minister K Babu handed over the district panchayat award for achievements in the agricultural sector to Principal Agricultural Officer Asadevi Varma. District panchayat vice-president Bindu George spoke.