CM exhorts farmers to cultivate medicinal flora, horticulture crops

Bhopal, Mar 12 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today said commercial cultivation of medicinal flora and horticulture crops could make farming a lucrative business.

''Farmers must come forward to take up horticulture on a massive scale along with traditional farming,'' Mr Chouhan said, while addressing a state-level convention of Khati Samaj at Halalpura bus stand premises here.

Pointing out that a number of steps like waiving off electricity bills, abolishing cess on tractor-trolley, etc had been taken in the interest of peasants, he said the process to constitute a commission for agriculturists besides amending Revenue Book Circular for increased relief to farmers had also been initiated.

The compulsion of a separate power connection for thrashers had been done away with an official release here said.

Stressing on the need for higher education for children of families depending on agriculture, the Chief Minister urged Khati Samaj members to encourage their children to appear in competitive examinations besides taking up other farming-related business.

He assured all cooperation to Khati Samaj office bearers for construction of hostel and Dharmashala in the state capital and Omkareshwar, the release added.

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