Finance Minister KN Balagopal speaks after inaugurating the Farmers’ Day celebrations at Neduvathur Grama Panchayat on Saturday.
Finance Minister KN Balagopal said the government’s aim was to industrialise the agriculture sector and make it a more lucrative career option.
He inaugurated the Farmers’ Day celebrations here on Saturday and honoured the best farmers of Mylam, Kulakkada, Neduvathur, Ummannur, Veliyam and Kareepra panchayats.
“On an experimental basis, a panel of farmers comprising 100 persons from each panchayat will be made to cultivate higher yielding crops like passion fruit, dragon fruit and avocado. Through such initiatives, we should attract more young farmers to the sector,” said Mr. Balagopal, adding that the agriculture sector was the government’s top priority.
Referring to the Samagra Kottarakara project, a two-year mega plan for the comprehensive development of the place, the minister said the country is going through a time when environmental protection is becoming increasingly important.
“The importance of agriculture in environmental protection has been known to mankind since ancient times. The year 1200 in the Malayalam calendar marks the beginning of a new century. The Samagra Kottarakara project lays utmost emphasis on agriculture and irrigation. A total of 100,000 coconut saplings will be planted in the constituency under the project. It also includes rejuvenation of streams to restore unhindered flow of river Kallada, irrigation of all areas and focus on cultivation of cash crops and vegetables,” he said.
The minister said each individual has the responsibility to prepare the next generation for sustainable development, with a focus on agriculture.
Mylam Panchayat Chairman Bindu G. Nath, Kulakkada Panchayat Chairman Saji Kadukkala, Neduvathur Panchayat Chairman VK Jyoti, Veliyam Panchayat Chairman Prashanth, Kareepra Panchayat Chairman Suvidha, Vettikavala Block Panchayat Chairman Ranjith Kumar and Senior Agriculture Officer Rajesh were present. The panchayats, Haritha Karma Sena and the Agriculture Department handed over the amount collected for organising the Farmers’ Day celebrations to the Finance Minister as contribution to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF).
