The Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Kailash Choudhary addressed the Valedictory function of Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela and said doubling the farmers’ income by 2022 is a priority of the Government.
The Minister said as per the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) report for 2013-14, farmers’ average monthly income stood at Rs. 6,426; at present, as per the last survey available for 2016-17, it stands at Rs. 8,167. “I am confident the target set by the Prime Minister will definitely be achieved,” he said.
Lauding ICAR for organising the Farmers’ Fair, Prof. Ramesh Chand, Member, NITI Ayog, expressed satisfaction that during the three-day fair the sale of seeds has crossed Rs. 45 lakhs. India is exporting 6-7% of its produce, he added.
In his address, Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) & Director General, ICAR, said more than 80,000 farmers have taken part in the Krishi Vigyan Mela this year.
Several co-operatives including IFFCO and Kribhco had put up their stalls at the Mela.