Farmers should take up ancillary businesses: CM

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said farmers should be encouraged to take up ancillary businesses, like dairy and cattle farming, to improve their financial condition.

Fadnavis said this during a review meeting of various development works being carried out in Yavatmal district. The meeting was held at Babhulgaon Panchayat Samiti office, 25 kms away from here.

"Farmers should be encouraged to go for ancillary business like dairy and cattle farming to improve their financial status," the chief minister said.

According to him, Yavatmal has been chosen for dairy development programme under the National Dairy Development Board's scheme.

During the meeting, Fadnavis set the target of bringing 50,000 hectares of farm land in Yavatmal under irrigation over the next two years.

He directed the officials to ensure that crop loan be provided to maximum number of farmers, who apply for loan for the kharif crop. He said there should adequate supply of seeds.

"Under the Jalyukta Shivar scheme, 9,957 works are proposed for 225 villages in the district and 4,872 TMC water is made available for irrigation through it, which has enabled to bring 4,193 hectares of land under irrigation," he said.

According to him, 5,430 agri pumps have been provided electricity.