Pinarayi: govt. is working to boost farmer income by 50%

At a FacetoFace programme in Alappuzha, CM says steps will be taken to ensure remunerative prices to farmers for their produce along with finding a market for valueadded products

Production and productivity in State’s agriculture sector will be increased as part of the government’s efforts to bring Kerala to the level of developed middleincome countries in the next 25 years, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said.

He was interacting with farmers and people from allied sectors at a FacetoFace programme in Alappuzha on March 2.

Innovative schemes

Mr. Vijayan said the State government was working towards increasing farmers’ income by at least 50%. “The government is taking measures to boost farmers’ income by introducing modern technologies and innovative schemes. The intervention of the cooperative sector in the farm sector will be strengthened with focus on creating infrastructure facilities. Steps will be taken to ensure remunerative prices to farmers for their agricultural produce along with finding a market for valueadded products,” Mr. Vijayan said.

The Chief Minister said the government was committed to protecting the farm sector in the State from the “influence of agricorporates”.

Mr. Vijayan said the government was giving special attention to paddy farming. “It should be noted that the Centre owes the State ₹763 crore towards support price for the past three years. This year’s arrears alone run up to ₹388.81 crore. The State government cleared the paddy farmers’ dues without waiting for the Centre to release the amount,” the Chief Minister said.

Stating that climate change and crop damage by wild animals pose a huge challenge to the farm sector in Kerala, the Chief Minister said the government was initiating measures to mitigate the crises.

SURESH ALLEPPEY Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Agriculture Minister P. Prasad and Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian during a Face-to-Face programme in Alappuzha on Saturday.