Jharkhand farmers' income to grow four times by 2022: CM

Ranchi, Nov 30 (IANS) Enthused by the response at the Global Agriculture and Food Summit, Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Friday said the state would be first in India where farmers' income would increase four times by 2022.

"Jharkhand will be first state in the country where the income of the farmers will increase four times by the year 2022. This is indicated from the fact that the agriculture growth in the state is 19 per cent in the last four years," Das told the media after the concluding ceremony of the summit.

He said that Jharkhand will also ink an MoU with China to sell lady's finger grown in the state.

"Soon Jharkhand will in an agreement with China, so the lady's finger from the state can be sold in that country. Talks in this regard have been held with the agriculture officials with Chinese officials... Moreover, China will also send a team to study the possibility to set up a food processing plant in the state," said the Chief Minister.

The two-day summit ended on Friday with the address of Governor Draupdi Murmu. Four countries including Israel were partners of the state in the summit.

The Chief Minister said: "The (Global Agriculture and Food) Summit provided the right platform where farmers came to know about the modern practices and latest technologies in the agricultural field and gained experience as to how with less investment they can further maximize their yield."

"The farmers should only think about increasing their farm output as the task of marketing and processing will be taken care of by the state government. In the two-day function, foundation was also laid for 50 food processing units."

The government has also decided to ink a technology exchange agreement with Morocco, so that the farmers of Jharkhand can gain expertise from their Green Morocco Plan.

Apart from that, a centre for excellence would be set up in collaboration with Israel for the training of farmers and very soo, a letter in this regard would be written to the Central government, Das said.

He said that Patanjali of Baba Ramdev has already assured that whatever organic products will be produced in the state, including food grains, fruits, vegetables and honey, would be purchased by them. 

Jharkhand will also sign an MoU with Patanjali to set up a honey processing plant in the state.