Varanasi, (The States. news)Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday appealed to farmers to return
to natural farming.Addressing a rally on Farmers Day, the birth anniversary of
former Prime Minister Charan Singh, he said over the years the scope for
natural farming had shrunk and chemical-based farming had become dominant.
“For rejuvenating mother earth, for the safety of our soil, for the future
of our generations, we have to return to natural farming. This is the need of
the hour. On Farmers Day, I appeal all my farmer brothers to return to natural
farming,” he said.The Prime Minister spoke effusively about cows.
“Speaking about cow may be a crime for some but for us cow is a mother
figure and is revered. Those making fun of cows and buffaloes forget that the
livelihood of eight crore families depends on animal husbandry.”Strengthening
the dairy sector is one of the priorities of our government,” he added.
Modi said his decision to lay the foundation stone of ‘Banaas Dairy Sankul’ on
Thursday was a step in right direction.He said milk production in the country
has increased by 45 per cent.
“Today India is producing around 22 per cent milk of the world. I am
pleased that Uttar Pradesh is not only the biggest milk producing state but is
also far ahead in the expansion of the dairy sector,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the dairy sector and animal husbandry can play a major
role in changing the condition of the farmers. He said animal husbandry could
become a major source of additional income for more than 10 crore small
farmers.Earlier, Modi launched 22 projects of around Rs 2,100 crore in his
parliamentary constituency Varanasi.
This included the foundation stone of ‘Banas Dairy Sankul’ of Amul
Cooperative at the UPSIDA Food Park here. He also transferred Rs 35 crores as
bonus into the accounts of 1.70 lakh milk producers associated with Banas Dairy
He inaugurated several projects worth Rs 870.16 crores including a newly built
unified AYUSH Hospital. He also laid foundation stones of five projects worth
Rs 1,225.51 crore.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Minister Mahendra Nath Pandey and several Union and state ministers were present on the occasion. (uni)
