Minister Chairs Pre-Budget Consultation Meeting of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Department
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana said the state government is fully committed to safeguarding the interests of farmers and that there will be no shortage of funds for any welfare scheme, provided that the available budget is utilized in a proper, transparent and effective manner. He emphasized that the benefits of government schemes must reach the real farmers.
Rana was chairing the pre-budget consultation meeting of the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department in Chandigarh today. Senior officers of the department participated in the meeting and made detailed presentations on the utilization of the budget allocated in the previous year under various agricultural schemes run by the Central and State Governments, the current financial position, and the projected expenditure for the coming year.
During the meeting, Rana reviewed the progress of the “Mera Pani Meri Virasat” scheme and described water conservation as a priority for the state. He said promoting alternatives to water-intensive crops such as paddy is the need of the hour and directed officers to create awareness among farmers about crops that yield higher production with less water.
He also laid special emphasis on the scientific and environmentally friendly management of paddy straw and other crop residues. He said that to effectively tackle the problem of stubble burning, farmers should be provided timely access to machinery, technical support and incentive amounts so as to prevent environmental pollution.
Reviewing the Soil Health Card Scheme, the Agriculture Minister said that soil testing should not remain a mere formality; instead, it should provide farmers with scientific guidance—from sowing to harvesting—on fertilizer use, crop selection and ways to increase productivity. He directed officers to maintain regular interaction with farmers to ensure implementation of the recommendations given in Soil Health Cards.
Rana stressed the need to make farms self-reliant in terms of manure and water, stating that balanced use of natural resources is the foundation of sustainable agriculture. He also instructed officials to encourage farmers towards organic farming so that cultivation costs are reduced, soil fertility is maintained, and consumers receive chemical-free and nutritious food grains.
He said that it is the priority of the Haryana Government to economically empower farmers, increase their income and make agriculture a profitable enterprise. For this, departmental officers should work in coordination and ensure effective implementation of schemes at the grassroots level.