Agri development in Gujarat at 12 pc: Modi

Junagdh, May 9 (UNI) Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today said the state had achieved agricultural growth rate of 12 per cent, which is higher than the national rate of 1.7 per cent.

The state government is determined to ensure that farmers of Gujarat are able to take on global competition effectively in agriculture sector, he said while inaugurating a month-long 'Krishi Mahotsav' (Agro festival) here.

Mr Modi said the festival and idea behind it would revolutionise agriculture in the state.

Addressing a big farmers rally here, Mr Modi said till now, no government had taken agriculture and animal husbandary seriously, but the Gujarat government took keen interest in making the farmer in the state modern and technology savvy.

While briefing the media on Krishi Mahotsav, the Chief Minister said the state government had decided to reach out to lakhs of farmers in 18,000 villages by 228 specially made Kisan Raths (farmers chariots). The government would organise agriculture related programmes throughout the month.

The Kisan Raths would encourage and educate farmers about newer scientific approaches. Agriculture experts would guide farmers and advice them benefits of techology like drip irrigation. There would be around 2.4 lakh functions in the span of 30 days, he added.

UNI HT SSS SY DB1846