Early Times Report
JAMMU, Jan 5: Jammu Kashmir BJP Spokesperson and former Vice Chairman, Balbir Ram Rattan, on Monday, held an extensive discussion with BJP Kisan Morcha State President Rakesh Pant on various pro-farmer initiatives launched by the Modi government with the objective of strengthening the agricultural sector and improving farmers' incomes, in presence of party's other activists.
During the interaction, Balbir Ram Rattan particularly highlighted the recently unveiled 184 improved varieties of 25 field crops developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and released by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. He informed that these newly released varieties include 122 cereals, 6 pulses, 13 oilseeds, 11 fodder crops, 6 sugarcane varieties, 24 cotton varieties, and one variety each of jute and tobacco.
Balbir described these improved varieties as "super seeds" that are designed to address multiple challenges faced by farmers, including low productivity, climate stress, pest attacks, and changing soil conditions. He said that the new varieties are developed with a focus on higher yield potential, better resistance to diseases and pests, improved nutritional quality, and adaptability to diverse agro-climatic zones.
He emphasized that such initiatives reflect the Modi government's commitment to making Indian agriculture more resilient, modern, and farmer-friendly. Balbir added that farmers in Jammu and Kashmir, in particular, stand to gain significantly from these improved seed varieties, as they will help enhance crop productivity, reduce input costs, and ensure more stable incomes. He noted that the introduction of improved fodder crops will also benefit livestock farmers by improving fodder availability and quality.
Balbir further said that scientific research and innovation are key to ensuring sustainable agriculture, and the release of 184 improved crop varieties is a major step in that direction. He urged farmers to adopt these varieties to fully benefit from government-backed agricultural research and extension services. |
