The desert state of Rajasthan keeps rich ambitions to become an agricultural powerhouse soon. But unlike similar attempts by other states, the Vasundhara Raje administration wants to achieve this feat without water or at least with minimal use of it.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundahara Raje | PTI
Also, the state has stepped up its spending on agriculture and promoting better technology and modern practices in agriculture.
"M.S. Swaminthan's dream of enabling farmers to achieve the right price for his labour will only be possible when our farmers use less water for maximum yield. Uses modern technology," said Vasundahara Raje on Wednesday.
During November 2016, the Raje administration had launched a Rs 500 crore gala event at the state capital Jaipur to launch Global Rajasthan Agritech Meet (GRAM). The event saw MoUs of Rs 4,400 crore of which many are under implementation on the ground currently, said the Rajsthan CM.
Countries like Israel, Iran, Tajikistan, Kazakastan, Russia, Nigeria, Japan, Switzerland, Nethrlands, the UK and Australia had participated in these MoUs with the Rajasthan government. Most of these countries are technology partner with the state's various agriculture research initiatives through its Centre for Excellence specific to a number of horticulture, spices and cash crops.
"The farmers here in Kota have used drip irrigation techniques with success and send the message across that as farmers, they understand the value of water," said Raje, in her inaugural speech the Kota GRAM conclave on Wednesday.
To live up to the name of the conclave, Raje on Wednesday took the international farm platform to district level, starting with Rajasthan's recent agriculture powerhouse Kota district. She gave details of a host of state initiatives including subsidy for soil treatment, setting up of processing plants for farmers and many others during the conclave.
"In recent years, Rajsthan has become a leader in production of cumin seeds, pulses, pomegranate, guar gum and now also in some medicinal and minor forest produce. We would like to better earnings of our farmers. For this, any expense or initiative needed will be provided on priority by the state government," Prabhulal Saini, state agriculture, fishery and gardens minister told THE WEEK.
"We are using techniques and technology from a number of countries. After success in date palms and pomegranate we are doing dragon fruit, strawberry, garlic and fenugreek in large quantities," said Saini, highlighting that farmers in Rajasthan are not affected by distress sell.
To ensure this, the state have set up its own e-market initiatives that has been running parallel to the union government's E Nam inigiative. "What E Nam does not cover is covered under our Rajasthan Integrated Marketing Management System (RIMMS)," said Neelkamal Darbari, state agriculture secretary.
Going ahead, though banking on technology is to improve agriculture in the state, 'Rajasthan will not be adopting any gene modified food crop,' said agriculture minister Saini, when asked about the state's stance for GM mustard. "We do not need it and our farmers have no reason to adopt the lower yielding GM variety over our traditional varieties," Saini said.
