PM unveils the foundation stone of Center of Excellence for Vegetable Production at Baramati
14th Feburary, 2015, Baramati
Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India unveiled the foundation stone of Center of Excellence for Vegetable Production at KVK Baramati.
Addressing the farmers' rally organised on the occasion, the Hon’ble Prime Minister said water storage capacities across the country needs to be enhanced. NREGA may be used to build water storage capacity and it may help improve productivity in the agriculture sector.
He also stressed on the need to modernize agriculture through the latest available technologies and promote value-addition. Referring to sugar production in Maharashtra, the Prime Minister said sugar content has been enhanced substantially through technological interventions.
The Prime Minister noted that the period February to July used to be a lean period for school laboratories. He viewed that senior school students of Class 10 onwards could be trained for soil testing and these labs could function as soil testing laboratories during this period.
He also complimented the Agricultural Development Trust and KVK Baramati for their role in agricultural development in Baramati region. He suggested that KVKs can play an important role in confidence building among farmers.
In his address, Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Union Agriculture Minister highlighted the initiatives of new government mainly Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana’ (Prime Minister Agriculture Irrigation Scheme). He also emphasized on the development of infrastructure at KVKs to improve the dissemination of technologies to farmers.
Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra highlighted the policy initiatives of the state government to improve the agricultural production in the Maharashtra.
Earlier in his welcome address, Shri Sharad Pawar, Former Union Minister of Agriculture welcomed the dignitaries and highlighted the concerns of drought-affected farmers, sugar milk and milk producers in Maharashtra.
The Centre is being set up as a part of Indo-Dutch Programme at KVK Baramati, Pune District under the aegis of Agricultural Development Trust, Baramati.
Shri C. Vidyasagar Rao, Hon’ble Governor of Maharashtra; Shri Ajit Pawar, Former Deputy Chief Minister and Smt. Supriya Sule, MP, Baramati also graced the occasion.
Dr S. Ayyappan, Secretary, DARE & DG , ICAR; Dr.A.K.Singh, DDG (AE); Dr.T.A.More, VC, MPKV, Rahuri; Dr. N. Sudhakar, ZPD (ZoneV); and senior officials of Agriculture, Govt. of Maharashtra along with other dignitaries participated in the programme.
More than 15,000 farmers participated in the programme.
Shri Rajendra Pawar, Chairman, ADT, Baramati proposed the vote of thanks.
(Source: Agricultural Extension Division, ICAR)
