Ahmedabad, 31 May, 2014
Gujarat’s first woman Chief Minister Smt. Anandiben Patel today ascertained that in a bid to produce maximum agriculture produces with the usage of minimum waters, her Government has resolved to launch state-wide drip-irrigation system. Smt. Patel said, “The Gujarat Government has set up a target to cover 2.50 lakh hectare of land under the state-wide drip-irrigation system drive by the end of this year.”

The Woman Chief Minister was speaking at the inaugural function of the 10th of the Krushi Mahotsav-2014 held at Kadi town in north-Gujarat. The state wide Krushi Mahotsav has been divided into four different zones to cover the entire Gujarat. Under the North-Gujarat zone – six districts have been covered.

Smt. Patel had also inaugurated the Animal Mela and also performed Gau Pooja (traditional worshiping of a cow) organized as the parts of the Krushi Mahotsav. She had also honoured the progressive farmers of the north-Gujarat region. In addition to these, the Chief Minister had also released the various farming publications relating to benefiting the farmers brought-out by the Dantivada Krushi University and Krushi Co-operation Department.

Smt. Patel also lauded the remarkable economical growth of the farmers made possible by the series of the Krushi Mahotsav with usage of agriculture revolution and novice farming technique in the water scarcity affected north-Gujarat region.

She said, “The hard works of the farmers, their proper understanding of the farming and guidance by the agriculture-scientists have brought a new lease of life in farming of the north-Gujarat and has made it the uttam (best) Gujarat.”

If the Banaskantha district has become a hub of potato production than the Kadi region has capture the world market through its mass production of cotton, she further added. The Chief Minister said, “The Gujarat Government has undertaken a mass scale planning to ensure that the narmada waters can be made available for the irrigation to the farmers of north-Gujarat by the june-2015.”

On this occasion, she also informed about a comprehensive project to encompass about 17.92 lakh hector areas of 17 districts of the state by 74, 000 km long canal networks through the river Narmada.While stating a new way adopted by the state government for the farmers’ land acquisition processes in a bid to construct the Narmada canals, she said, “Within one-and-half-year of span, the government has acquired about 1 lakh hector land from a total of 98k farmers without any disputes.

With an aim to make Gujarat a malnutrition-free state, the chief Minister also appealed to the farmers to donate nutritious agri produces and fruits to the anganwadi children and so as to play their part for social responsibility.

Health, road and building minister Nitinbhai Patel said that there is an increase in the farming production with the help of Krushi Mahotsav and the villages have become prosperous. Since our former CM has assumed the charges of the Prime Minister, the development of Gujarat will rapidly be taking place. The farmers have become prosperous as the state has adopted Drip Irrigation System. Moreover, Gujarat being at the forefront in development will be scaling new heights.”

On this occasion Agriculture and Co-operative Minister Mr. Babubhai Bokhiriya said that, if the farmers are given enough water, electricity and perfect guidance, then we can achieve in agriculture sector. The numbers of check dams are increased from 40k to 1.50 lakh that shows our achievement in the field of water conservation. And complete credit goes to Krishi Mahotsava, he added.

The State Home Minister Mr. Rajnikant Patel said that in this Krishi Mahotsav, we enlighten the farmers about yielding more production, similarly by reducing the farming expenditure. The Krishi Mahotsava has played a key role for consistent agricultural productivity.

On this occasion the State Agriculture Minister Mr. Govindbhai Patel said that, our Prime Minister initiated such plan to motivate the agricultural sector. With the help of this Krishi Mahotsav, the State’s economy is on the go. He also gave details regarding how the farmers have become prosperous by making most of this Krishi Mahotsav.

On this occasion, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Mr. Ramanlal Vora, Education Minister Mr. Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, State Law Minister Mr. Pradipsinhji Jadeja, State Animal Husbandry Minister Mr. Dilipbhai Thakor, State Health Minister Mr. Shankarbhai Chaudhary, State Minister Mr. Bachubhai Khabad, Representative Mr. Kaushikbhai Patel, MP Smt. Jayshriben Patel, Members of Parliament, MLAs, Chairmen of Agricultural Products Market Committee, Chairmen of Corporations, Chief Secretary Mr. Varesh Sinha, Principal Secretary Mr. Rajkumar, Secretary In-charge Mr. R.R. Varsani, Vice Chancellor Dr. K. Shridharan, Information Commissioner Mr. Bhagyesh Jha. Collector Mr. Narendra Meena, all the higher authorities – officials of the district, farmers, social representatives, and local public were present.

On this occasion MLA from Visnagar Mr. Rushikesh Patel proposed vote of thanks.