Development of farmers key to state's prosperity, says Sharma

Chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Wednesday said the farmers are the soul of the country and the state, and that their development is crucial for the prosperity of both.

- HT Correspondent

BIKANER/JAIPUR: Chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Wednesday said the farmers are the soul of the country and the state, and that their development is crucial for the prosperity of both.

Addressing farmers in Bikaner at a conference under the Rajasthan Day celebrations, he urged them to join Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to empower themselves through profitable farming.

"The government's vision is not just agricultural development, but agricultural pride. We aim to make Rajasthan's farmers a model not just for India but for the world," Sharma said.

At the conference and FPO programme in Bikaner, ₹137 crore in grants were distributed to 30,000 farmers, officials said. Key announcements included an increase in the Prime Minister's Kisan Samman Nidhi, the launch of the chief minister's Thar Border Area Development Programme, and an expansion of the Mangla Animal Insurance Scheme.

Additionally, the Livestock Health Programme now offers 200 medicines and vaccines for free, and new guidelines were introduced to promote organic farming with a ₹30,000 incentive for bullock farming. Grants and share money checks were also provided to several FPOs under the PMFME scheme.

The CM further announced that from this year, the state government has decided to celebrate Rajasthan Day on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada, encouraging the people of the state to celebrate the day with enthusiasm.