Cabinet Ministers Chetan Singh Jauramajra and Balkar Singh urge farmers to opt crop diversification

Ministers appeal to them to wean away from paddy-wheat cycle

Kartarpur (Jalandhar): Punjab Horticulture Minister Chetan Singh Jauramajra and Local Bodies Minister Balkar Singh on Friday exhorted the farmers to adopt crop diversification in a big way to increase their income.

      Presiding over a ‘Kisan Mela’ organized in Kartarpur Grain market by Joint Potato Growers Association (JPGA), the Cabinet Ministers said that it was the need of the hour to move away from paddy-wheat crops and double their income by opting crop diversification on a large scale. They said that the farmers must go for alternative crops including sugarcane, pulses, vegetables for better productivity and high returns. They said that crop diversification would not only save the groundwater but would also improve soil health.

      The Cabinet Ministers Chetan Singh Jauramajra and Balkar Singh also said that the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was committed to making agriculture a profitable venture. They said that the government would also hold training workshops for the farmers about new crop varieties and modern hi-techniques so that they can get better returns. They said that Punjab had been blessed with fertile land where anything can be produced for which the government will make earnest efforts to save this fertile land and precious groundwater.

       The Ministers also encouraged the farmers to follow the experts’ advice in farming. They also lauded JPGA for holding ‘Kisan Mela’ aimed at sensitising farmers about the advanced agriculture technologies. Earlier, the Ministers also visited various stalls in the fair.

       Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Chairperson Rajwinder Kaur Thiara, officials from various departments and JPGA’s representatives.