GRAM promises big farm boost, govt eyes ₹1,000 crore investment deals

SELFRELIANCE Deals to strengthen and boost agriculture sector in the state THE THREEDAY EVENT, COMMENCING FROM TODAY, IS LIKELY TO SEE FOOTFALL OF MORE THAN 40,000 FARMERS FROM ACROSS THE HADAUTI AND KOTA DIVISIONS

Rajasthan government is likely to sign memorandums of understanding (MoUs) worth more than ₹1,000 crore to strengthen and boost the agriculture sector during the Global Rajasthan Agritech Meet (GRAM) in Kota, said agriculture minister Prabhulal Saini.

The three-day event, commencing from today, is likely to see footfall of more than 40,000 farmers from across the Hadauti and Kota divisions, he said.

Union minister for urban development Venkaiah Naidu and chief minister Vasundhara Raje will inaugurate the event.

Addressing a news conference, Saini said more than 20 MoUs are likely to be signed between the Rajasthan government and investors out of which more than seven will be in the agro food-processing and agro products sectors.

The MoUs will be signed on the second day of the event on May 25, will include setting up of agricultural equipment manufacturing, contract farming, and private mandi among others, he said.

The GRAM in Kota will be a step to further the commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for doubling the agricultural income of farmers by 2022, he said.

“One of the core objectives of the event will be to expose farmers to the best agriculture practices and help the sector grow.”

He further said that the event will bring farmers academicians, technologists, agro companies and policy makers on one platform.

On the progress of the MoUs signed during the last GRAM at Jaipur in 2016, he said a total 38 MoUs worth ₹ 4,400 crores were signed during the event, out of which work is either in progress or near completion in at least 25.

Neelkamal Darbari, principal secretary, agriculture department, said the event will feature smart farms and exhibition set up at the GRAM venue to showcase new technologies and solutions in the farming sectors.

The event is being jointly organised by the state government and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.