Depleting water level a cause for concern, says minister

Our Correspondent

NURPUR, SEPTEMBER 12

The Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kangra, organised a Kisan Mela at Surajpur in Indora on Thursday to sensitise local farmers on the centrally sponsored Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA).

Agriculture and Tribal Area Development Minister Ram Lal Markanda, who presided over the programme, said the depletion of underground water level in some areas of the hill state was a matter of concern.

He said if timely steps were not taken, the ill effects would be seen in near future. He urged both farmers and locals to make water conservation a mass movement so that underground water level could be checked.

The minister said the efforts of the state government for promoting zero budget farming in the state had been lauded at the national level and the Government of India was all set to implement the farming at the national level. The state government was committed to double the income of farmers by 2022 as targeted by Modi government.

Over the increasing use of pesticides and chemical fertilisers in farming in the state, Markanda appealed to the farmers to adopt the zero budget farming, which would reduce farm input cost and enhance farm income.

He congratulated the locals on getting first position among hill states in water conservation drive launched under the JSA. He reviewed works displayed by the farmers and different government departments in the mela.

Local MLA Reeta Dhiman and chancellor of Agriculture University, Palampur, Prof Ashok Saryal were also present.

Scientists of the Agriculture University educated the farmers about the zero budget farming launched in the state, recently. Following the demand of local MLA, the Agriculture Minister announced to open grain and sabzi mandi in Indora subdivision.