Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Minister inaugurated four new facilities at the Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI), which has been rendering excellent services for over 60 years under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Jal Shakti, and Kailash Chaudhary, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare were also present on the occasion.
Tomar, in his address, said that CAZRI, an institute of excellence of the ICAR, has been doing research and innovations for the welfare of farmers of the arid region for more than 60 years. Due to the research work done by CAZRI like dune stabilization, drip irrigation system, and new varieties of crops, the income of farmers is increasing.
CAZRI has received 8 out of 10 National Awards of ICAR in the last six years due to its new technologies and research achievements.
Tomar also inaugurated the newly constructed auditorium, Agri-business Nurturing Centre, environment-friendly wastewater treatment plant, and Indoor Sports Hall at CAZRI.
Tomar said that the Indian agricultural economy is very strong, which will be sustained, making India fully capable of dealing with any big crisis. He said that as the Chief Minister of Gujarat before 2014 and as the Prime Minister, Modi constantly thinks about keeping the village-poor and farmers on priority.
In last 8 years, many schemes have been launched under the leadership of PM Modi for improving agriculture, providing income support and technological support to the farmers, he added.
86 percent of the small farmers of the country organized themselves through FPOs, and now process their produce as well as get reasonable prices, the minister said. PM Modi has set up a fund of one lakh crore rupees for the development of infrastructure in the agriculture sector, out of which projects worth Rs. 14,000 crores have already been approved, he told.
Tomar said CAZRI has done countless research and developed technologies for agricultural development in the arid region, which are examples for our desert areas as well as for the whole world.
Progressive farmers were honored by Tomar during the program.
Kailash Chaudhary said that CAZRI has done a lot for the farmers of the desert region. Today dates, pomegranates, and figs are being cultivated here and dragon fruit cultivation is about to start. In the coming days, the millet grown here will find its due place in the world.
The newly appointed Secretary, DARE and Director General of ICAR, Dr. Himanshu Pathak and Director of CAZRI, Dr. O.P. Yadav also addressed the function.
