Haryana sets up Agriculture Development Agency

Chandigarh, Aug 25 (UNI) The Haryana government has set up a Haryana Agriculture Development Agency (HADA) under the overall supervision and guidance of its board of patrons headed by Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

The Agriculture Minister, Power and Irrigation Minister and Chief Secretary will be the Members of the Board of Patrons.

Agriculture Minister H S Chatha said the agency will be an autonomous body and will have a governing body under the Chairmanship of Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary, Agriculture.

Giving details of the objectives of HADA, Mr Chatha said that the agency is aimed at promoting effective implementation of National Food Security Mission, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna, Support to State Extension Programme and other Central and State Sponsored Schemes.

It will also promote diversification of crops, organic farming, resource conserving technologies, gender equity in agriculture, use of certified/hybrid/transgenic seeds, besides demonstrating to the farmers improved agronomic practices including water conserving technologies and energy saving practices by way of extension network and use of mass media.

The agency will also work to improve the soil health and will identify specific needs of farming community and set up priorities for sustainable agricultural development, besides executing plans through line departments and coordinating efforts being made by various line departments.

It will also facilitate the empowerment of farmers/producers, he added.

UNI MA AK GC1907