24,000 acre of agricultural land lost in Uttarakhand

Dehradun, Apr 13 (UNI) Uttarakhand Agriculture Minister Trivendra Rawat today said so far, 24,000 acre agricultural land had been lost due to the change in its use during the last 7 years in the state.

''Of the total area, only 11 per cent land is used for agricultural purpose in the state,'' he told reporters here.

Admitting that the condition of the farmers in the state was not very good, the Minister said the new BJP government would stress on looking into modern farming, shedding aside the traditional farming system. ''Food dependency on agriculrue has drastically come down in the state and the revival of agriculture has become must,'' he said.

He added that the pathetic condition of the farmers was due to low productivity.

Mr Rawat said that agricultural land ought not to be given for Special Economic Zone (SEZ). He, however answering the queries on 3339 acre land at Pantnagar given for the development of industries said that the the process has gone so far that retreating back was not possible.

The agriculture minister emphasising the contract and coroporate farming for the revival of agriculture in the state, said that the government would adopt extention of mandis, establishmnet of cold storages, marketting facilities and maximum representation to the youths in agricultural sector. He said that they would be encouraged for farming in their native places so as to generate self employment and curtail migration that has become one of the biggest problem in the state. He said that Call Centres for farmers would be set up for assistance and provide resolutions to their various problems.

Farmers could approach the Call Centres personally or have telephonic querries.

Mr Rawat said that there was vast potential for fisheries in the state with abundant water sources. He disclosed that by increasing investment on fisheries by Rs. 58 to 60 crore the profit could be increased by ten times. ''Government would propose for special budget for development of fisheries,'' he said.

When asked whether his government would chalk out a new agricultural policy, he said that would be done however only after reviewing the older one. ''We would adopt all the good things and discard bad one from old one while chalking out the new policy,'' he said.

UNI