Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan welcomed the guests attending the G-20 conference in Indore, the cleanest city of the country, with the spirit of Atithi Devo Bhava.
He said that the motto of the G-20 conference ‘One Earth-One Family-One Future’ has been in the Indian thought for centuries. The shlok Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah Sarve Santu Niramaya, Sarve Bhadrani Pashyantu Ma Kaschit Dukhbhag Bhavet wishes everyone to be happy, free from diseases and for everyone’s welfare. India believes and implements the principle of live and let live. The thinking of G-20 is also in line with this.
He said due to the ever increasing population, food security is an important issue facing the world today. Only 12 percent of the world’s land is suitable for agriculture. By the year 2030, the demand for food grains will be 345 billion tonnes, while in the year 2000, this demand was 192 billion tonnes. It is evident that neither the agricultural land nor our natural resources is going to increase. It is a matter of serious concern that we should make proper use of agricultural land and we should also make appropriate efforts to increase the productivity of agricultural land.
Chouhan said that he himself is a farmer. I have taken a vow to earn my livelihood through agricultural activities. Agriculture is considered the best work in India. A large number of people in India are still engaged in agriculture. I myself also visit my farm once in a month and also try to innovate in farming.
Chouhan said that if we have to fulfill the food requirement of the world, then we will have to do some work with commitment. First we have to increase production for which, the use of mechanization, digitalization, new technology and new seeds will have to be promoted. Continuous efforts are being made in this direction in Madhya Pradesh. Small and big farmers, women and youth have to be motivated to use the new technology. This will help in supply of food grains as per requirement.
Chouhan said that there has been our agriculture growth rate in Madhya Pradesh has been consistently on the rise since a decade under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The state has made significant contribution in filling the country’s food grain stock. The state has been at the first position in the production of oilseeds in the country. Madhya Pradesh has 60 percent participation in the production of soy in the country. Madhya Pradesh is the largest producer of wheat in the country. We have made every possible effort to increase production in the state. In this, the work of increasing the irrigation area is worth mentioning. In the year 2003, only 7.5 lakh hectare area was irrigated in the state. By increasing this, now we are irrigating 45 lakh hectare area. Our target is to provide irrigation facility in 65 lakh hectare. He said that the use of new technology and good seeds is being encouraged in the state to increase production. Along with increasing production, it is also necessary to reduce the cost of production.
Chouhan said that there can be an alternative to everything in the world, but there is no alternative to food grains, fruits and vegetables. We have to give importance to the farmer for their production. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, continuous efforts are going on to provide necessary support to the farmers, to reduce the cost of production and to make farming a profitable business. In this direction, initiatives are also being taken to help the farmers with the use of new economical technology and mechanization. Loans are being made available to the farmers at zero percent interest. A fixed amount is being made available to the farmers every year in the Kisan Samman Nidhi established by Prime Minister Shri Modi. In this, Madhya Pradesh has also added its own amount. Its objective is to support the farmer in the cost of farming.
Chouhan said that it is also necessary to provide fair price to the farmers for their produce. The concept of minimum support price is applicable in India. Along with this, the state and Central governments are also active in helping the farmers in case of natural calamity. Assistance is given to farmers in Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and RBC 6/4 in Madhya Pradesh.
Chouhan said that efforts are also necessary for diversification of agriculture. It is also necessary to promote activities like flower-fruit farming, vegetable farming, medicinal farming, agro-forestry along with animal husbandry, fisheries, milk production.
Chouhan said that Prime Minister Modi has taken up the task of promoting traditional millets in the form of a campaign. This activity has been named as “Shree Ann”. The United Nations has also declared this year as Millet Year. Let us make every possible effort that this nutritious grain does not disappear from the earth.
Chouhan said that protecting the health of the earth is our supreme duty. The reckless use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides to increase production has badly affected the health of the earth and the quality of the soil. This has also had a harmful effect on human health. India has believed for centuries that nature should not be exploited, we should only utilise nature. For the natural balance, it is necessary for the animals and birds to exist along with humans. It is necessary to adopt the campaign of natural farming started by Prime Minister Modi.
Chouhan said that apart from fulfilling the world’s food supply, we should also be sensitive to the health of the earth, the health of human beings and the protection of nature. The technology adopted should be friendly to the existence of all. CM Chouhan also invited the guests attending the G-20 conference to visit the attractive tourist places of Madhya Pradesh.
Water Resources Minister Tulsiram Silawat, Rajya Sabha member Sushri Kavita Patidar, MP Shankar Lalwani, Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava, representatives of G-20 member countries, guest countries and international organisations were present.
Inauguration of exhibition
Chouhan inaugurated an exhibition focused on agricultural products at the venue. The CM visited various stalls of the exhibition and observed the agricultural products. Animal husbandry and fisheries stalls along with millet and its value-added food products were the centre of attraction in the exhibition.
