North News
New Delhi, January 16
Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday called for the timely resolution of farmers’ issues, emphasizing that neglecting their concerns is not an option for a rapidly advancing nation. Speaking at the inaugural Amrut Mahotsav and Alumni Meet of the College of Agriculture at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dhankhar said farmers’ economic security is critical for the country’s progress. “Distress of farmers calls for urgent national attention. We cannot afford to put their concerns on the back burner. Time is of absolute essence when resolving farmers’ problems,” he said.
Dhankhar highlighted the broader impact of agriculture on the economy, urging industries reliant on farm produce to contribute their corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds to farmer welfare and research. “Farmers are the lifeline of agro-based industries. Keeping them happy must be our top priority,” he added. Stressing economic empowerment, Dhankhar advocated for direct subsidy transfers, enabling farmers to adopt sustainable practices such as organic and natural farming. He praised the government’s creation of a national turmeric board, which he said would double turmeric production and enhance export opportunities within five years.
The Vice-President also called for integrating advanced technologies into the farming sector through Krishi Vigyan Kendras, which cater to approximately 50,000 farmers each. He said these centers should drive a “positive revolution” in agriculture. Dhankhar underlined the importance of continuous agricultural reforms, urging institutions like the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to focus on ground-level impact.
Reflecting on India’s economic growth, he highlighted significant achievements in infrastructure, digitization, and social inclusion. “Our exponential economic rise has made India the most aspirational nation. Prime Minister Modi has created an environment where the country says, ‘Yeh Dil Maange More,’” he said.
