Rewari: The Haryana FPO Mission 2026, aimed at strengthening farmer producer organisations (FPOs), improving market access, value addition and collective farming to enhance farmers’ incomes was launched during the end of the Union government’s monthlong ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan (Save the Fields Campaign)’ at Bawal in the Rewari districtAddressing the gathering, Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the vision of a “developed India” could not be realised without prosperous farmers and a strong agricultural economy.He praised Haryana’s agricultural policies, saying the state has emerged as a national model through initiatives such as procurement of 24 crops at Minimum Support Price (MSP), Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana, Meri Fasal Mera Byora, and Mera Pani Meri Virasat.Calling for sustainable farming, Chouhan urged farmers to adopt soil testing before applying fertilisers and reduce excessive use of chemical nutrients. He also announced that the Centre is developing a mobile application to help farmers assess soil health and determine the appropriate quantity of fertilisers and pesticides required for their crops. Alongside the agriculture initiatives, Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for development projects worth nearly Rs 125 crore in the Bawal Assembly constituency.The projects included the inauguration of the Government Girls College at Bawal, a municipal shopping complex and parking facility, and the new Rampura police station building.Foundation stones were laid for CC roads in IMT Bawal Phase-III, a water works project for the proposed AIIMS at Majra, two new 33 KV power substations, a Primary Health Centre at Bakhapur, two sub-health centres, and a link road connecting Bishanpur Gujjar Majri with Piliyon Wali Dhani, among other infrastructure works. CM Saini said Haryana contributes significantly to India’s food security despite having only 1.3% of the country’s geographical area. He announced that natural farming training centres would be established in Kurukshetra, Jind, Sirsa and Karnal, while dedicated marketing spaces would be created across multiple districts for farmers practising natural and organic farming. He also reiterated the state’s focus on soil health, water conservation, crop diversification and climate-resilient agriculture, adding that government-owned land would be prioritised for natural farming over the next decade.According to the chief minister, farmers in Haryana have received ₹16,530 crore under crop insurance and crop-loss compensation during the past eleven years. Progressive farmers honouredThe programme concluded with the felicitation of six progressive farmers for their contributions to natural farming, horticulture, millet cultivation, beekeeping and agricultural marketing. The event was attended by Haryana agriculture minister Shyam Singh Rana and former minister Banwari Lal. MSID:: 132093527 413 |
