Jaipur, March 8 Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma interacted with farmers in the Hanumangarh district on Sunday and sought feedback on irrigation, electricity supply, and various agricultural schemes.
The interaction took place after a state-level programme organized on International Women's Day.
Farmers from the Hanumangarh and Sri Ganganagar districts expressed their gratitude for the announcement of a bonus of Rs 150 per quintal on the minimum support price (MSP) procurement of wheat. They also thanked the chief minister for his efforts to strengthen the canal irrigation system, according to an official release.
During the discussion, the chief minister reviewed the strengthening of canal networks, the water-carrying capacity of the Firozpur feeder, and issues related to electricity supply.
Sharma said that resolving agricultural issues through direct interaction with farmers is a priority for the state government. He said that Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh are important districts for food grain production, and the farmers in the region have played a major role in making Rajasthan a significant contributor to the country's food grain output.
The state government is taking concrete steps to improve irrigation infrastructure and resolve water-related issues with neighboring states to ensure better availability of water for agriculture, he added.
The chief minister urged farmers to adopt modern agricultural practices, including cultivating crops that require less water but offer better returns. He also encouraged farmers to adopt natural farming practices and reduce the use of chemical fertilizers by promoting organic manure.
Highlighting welfare measures, Sharma said that the state government has taken several steps for farmers' welfare, including providing a subsidy of Rs 5 per litre to milk producers and facilitating interest-free short-term crop loans worth Rs 50,000 crore.
Food and Civil Supplies Minister Sumit Godara, along with MLAs Sanjeev Beniwal, Gurveer Brar, and Ganeshraj Bansal, attended the event.