New Delhi, Oct 19: The Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chauhan assured to address concerns of all the states as suggested by the respective ministers while pitching for stronger centre-state coordination to address the agriculture issues; mechanisms to ensure that the farmers are insured against fluctuating prices; consolidation of the services of KVKs through innovative means etc. 
Addressing the National Conference on Agriculture for Rabi Campaign 2024 at NASC Complex, Pusa, New Delhi today he described agriculture as the backbone of the country’s economy and farmers as the soul of the nation, and hence urged the states to maximise introduction of climate resilient crop varieties and crop diversification to achieve nutritional security and make India the food bowl of the world.
“What is required in Arunachal Pradesh may not be required in Tamil Nadu,” Chauhan said adding that area specific requirements must be addressed in right perspective.
Agricultural practices, preferably natural farming, as per agro-climatic conditions must be encouraged, he said while citing the example of terrace cultivation, as sought by the state of Arunachal Pradesh, as the right approach to address concerns of hill states.
Ministers of State Ram Nath Thakur and Bhagirath Chaudhary, Ministers from Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Odhisa,Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Punjab also addressed the gathering.
Earlier in the day, Arunachal Pradesh sought establishment of an Organic Agriculture University (multidisciplinary) and increase in the size of fund allocation from the Govt of India for various Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS).
The state also suggested that funds against all CSSs be released in two installments instead of the current pattern of four due to geographical challenges hindering the timely deployment of agricultural/horticultural inputs.
Agriculture Minister Gabriel Wangsu, who was accompanied by Koj Rinya, Secretary Horticulture & officers from Directorate of Agriculture, also proposed sustainable alternatives to shifting cultivation including policy support and dedicated funding for interventions such as terrace farming, capacity building and extension services.
Cost norms must be enhanced by revising the MIDH guidelines’2014 as it is difficult to implement MIDH schemes with the present cost norm in Arunachal condition owing to high inputs cost, the minister said.
Subsidy for transportation of inputs under MIDH too be included as the farmers incur huge losses while transporting the inputs due to hilly and difficult terrain, Wangsu further added while also seeking additional fund against pending liabilities under RKVY.            
Secretary (A & FW), Secretary (DARE & DG -ICAR) along with officers from the Ministry of Agriculture & FW, GoI and state official representatives attended the day-long conference.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
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