Chandigarh, October 1 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that in view of changing climatic conditions and increasing pressure on natural resources, it is imperative to promote agricultural practices that can achieve higher production with less water and fewer resources in the state. Sustainable cotton production, crop diversification and conservation of water resources are not only the need of the hour but also a roadmap for a secure agricultural system for future generations.

The Chief Minister was addressing farmers, agricultural scientists and experts associated with the agriculture sector after inaugurating the two-day Agriculture Fair (Rabi) at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, on Thursday. On the occasion, he visited the agriculture exhibition and gathered information about the latest agricultural technologies, improved seeds, farm machinery and other agricultural products displayed for farmers at various stalls.

The Chief Minister said that the Agriculture Fair is an important platform for the exchange of knowledge and technology between farmers and scientists. Farmers get information about improved rabi seeds, modern agricultural techniques, machinery, crop management and the latest research taking place in the agriculture sector at one place. Referring to the cotton-picking machine displayed at the fair, he said that the machine can pick cotton from one acre in an hour and takes half the time compared to manual picking. The Chief Minister said that the Haryana Government is promoting machines for cotton picking and sugarcane peeling, along with other such technologies, so that the area under cotton and sugarcane cultivation does not decline due to labour shortages.

*Emphasis on Sustainable Cotton Production and Developing Technologies Suited to Changing Climate*

The Chief Minister said that cotton is one of the important cash crops of Haryana. It is particularly linked to the livelihood of lakhs of farming families in Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar and adjoining areas. Therefore, he said, “We proudly call it white gold.” He said that the agricultural university and the Cotton Research Centre in Sirsa have done commendable work in developing new varieties, better seeds and scientific crop management. He said that cotton cultivation is also facing new challenges. Weather patterns are changing rapidly. Therefore, agricultural technologies and seed varieties that can better withstand changing weather conditions and pests need to be developed rapidly.

The Chief Minister said that 257 Cotton Farmers’ Field Schools have been organised to provide information on such measures for cotton cultivation. More than 7,000 farmers have been sensitised at their cotton fields about identifying harmful pests from sowing to picking of cotton and their effective management for obtaining higher yields. Besides, measures to increase profits through low-cost cotton production have been explained at 167 farmer fairs.

He said that crop diversification is another important aspect of the theme of this fair. “If there is water, there is agriculture, there is a village and there is life.” Haryana has made a major contribution to the country’s food security, but we also need to be concerned about our groundwater. We need to move towards farming that produces more and better output with less water. Growing the same type of crops continuously affects soil health. Traditionally growing wheat and paddy requires high water consumption, while the entire world is facing a water crisis. Therefore, we need to adopt pulses, oilseeds and crops that require less water, he added.

The Chief Minister said that the government is implementing the Mera Pani-Meri Virasat scheme to promote such crops. Under this scheme, farmers who grow alternative crops or leave their fields fallow are provided financial assistance of Rs 8,000 per acre. So far, financial assistance of Rs 166.34 crore has been provided to 1.59 lakh farmers for sowing alternative crops in place of paddy on 2.34 lakh acres.

He said that the government’s objective is to achieve more irrigation with less water. Therefore, rainwater harvesting and micro-irrigation technologies such as drip and sprinkler irrigation are also being promoted. Up to 85 percent subsidy is provided on micro-irrigation technologies. Farmers are also provided up to 85 percent grant for constructing ponds.

Apart from saving water, 27 schemes have been prepared to reuse treated water from sewage treatment plants for irrigation, of which 20 have already been completed. These will provide a sustainable source of water for irrigation, reduce pressure on canals and also reduce groundwater extraction.

The Chief Minister said that along with water security, protecting soil health is equally important. The government has issued 1.6 crore Soil Health Cards after testing the soil of farmers’ fields. Seventeen new soil and water testing laboratories have been established in the state for testing soil samples.

He said that 54 new mini soil testing laboratories have also been opened in various mandis. In addition, 240 mini soil testing laboratories have already been established in schools and colleges. The government has also launched the Har Khet-Swasth Khet portal. Any farmer can register on this portal and get their soil tested. The Chief Minister said that drones, sensor technology, digital weather information, precision farming and agricultural startups are now becoming part of agriculture.

Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the double-engine government is standing with farmers from seed to market. The government has taken several concrete decisions in the interest of farmers. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi for the recent increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of crops and said that all crops of farmers in the state are being procured at MSP.

Under the PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi Yojana, Rs 7,881.60 crore has been provided to farmers in 23 instalments. Similarly, in the last 12 seasons, Rs 1 lakh 85 thousand crore has been deposited into the accounts of 12 lakh farmers as crop procurement payments. During the last 12 years, Rs 16,160 crore has also been provided under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and as compensation for crop losses.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has also launched a portal to promote natural farming. Around 2 lakh farmers have registered 3 lakh acres of land on this portal. Of this, 23,930 farmers covering 44,000 acres have so far been verified for adopting natural farming. Training centres for natural farming have been opened at Kurukshetra-Gurukul, Jind-HAMETI, Sirsa-Mangiana and Karnal-Gharaunda. So far, 12,188 participants have been provided training.

He said that crops produced through natural methods would be procured through HAFED. The Chief Minister appealed to farmers that the strength given to us by our ancestors must also be passed on to future generations through natural farming.

He said that from 2025, the subsidy for an indigenous cow for farmers owning up to one acre has been increased to Rs 30,000. An amount of Rs 3,000 is being provided to each farmer for purchasing four drums for storage and processing of raw material.

The Chief Minister said that natural farming under the name of Smart Agriculture would be started on a 2,000-acre cluster in Kurukshetra district with the support of Haryana Agricultural University. If farmers suffer any loss under this initiative, the Haryana Government will compensate them.

He said that under the PM-KUSUM scheme, farmers are provided a 75 percent subsidy for installing solar pumps. So far, 1,95,653 solar pumps have been installed. Similarly, for crop residue management, 1,11,000 crop residue management machines have been provided to individual farmers at a 50 percent subsidy, while 6,794 Custom Hiring Centres have been established with an 80 percent subsidy. A subsidy of Rs 1,017 crore has been provided so far for these initiatives.

An incentive of Rs 1,200 per acre has been provided for proper management and baling of paddy straw. A sum of Rs 909 crore has already been provided to 10 lakh farmers as subsidy. Under the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana for vegetables and fruits, protected prices have been fixed for 21 horticultural crops. So far, Rs 247 crore has been provided as Bhavantar to 46,000 farmers.

*Government Implementing Effective Schemes to Make Farmers Self-Reliant: Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana*

Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana said that agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy. The state government is committed to making farmers self-reliant and increasing their income. He called upon agricultural scientists to provide farmers with technology and facilities along with encouraging them towards crop diversification.

He said that farmers should also prioritise ensuring that the soil, air and water of their fields do not get polluted. Farmers should come forward to make agriculture a profitable enterprise by making maximum use of modern technologies.

*Focus on Increasing Cotton Productivity and Agricultural Diversification: Prof. B.R. Kamboj*

Vice-Chancellor Prof. B.R. Kamboj said that promoting cotton cultivation in Haryana, increasing farmers’ income and conserving natural resources are among the university’s key priorities. He said that the government is also providing incentives to farmers to encourage diversification in cotton cultivation.

He also stressed the need to expand the area under indigenous cotton. He said that good varieties of indigenous cotton would improve the quality of picking as well as production and fibre quality. Referring to the HAU BT-12 and HAU BT-13 cotton varieties developed by the university, he said that these varieties have better production potential compared to other varieties.

He said that adopting fertigation along with drip irrigation in sandy soil areas can increase production through better utilisation of water and fertilisers. The Vice-Chancellor said that since cotton is a long-duration crop, farmers can earn additional income by intercropping moong with cotton.

He said that the university is also working on improved varieties and technologies for mustard, moong, bajra and other crops. Efforts are underway to take the new hybrid mustard variety 2101 to farmers. Highlighting other achievements of the university, he said that around 25,000 quintals of certified seeds are prepared and supplied to farmers every year.

He said that work is also underway to start online booking of seeds for the convenience of farmers, which would eliminate the need for farmers from distant areas to visit the university.

At the conclusion of the programme, MLA Nalwa Sh. Randhir Panihar thanked the Chief Minister and other guests and said that the latest technologies and research work developed by scientists of Haryana Agricultural University are helping farmers move towards entrepreneurship. Farmers can increase production as well as their income by adopting crop residue management, crop diversification and integrated farming systems.

*45 Farmers Excelling in Natural Farming, Crop Diversification and Food Processing, Among Other Fields, Felicitated*

The Chief Minister felicitated 45 progressive farmers from across the state at the Agriculture Fair. The awardees included 30 male and 15 female farmers who have done notable work in various fields, including natural farming, crop diversification, crop residue management, mushroom production, food processing, dairy farming, beekeeping and vermicomposting.

The Chief Minister presented certificates of appreciation and mementoes to all the felicitated farmers and appreciated their efforts.

*Chief Minister Inaugurates Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Centre of Excellence for Organic Farming*

As part of the Haryana Government’s efforts to promote organic and natural farming in the state, Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini inaugurated the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Centre of Excellence for Organic Farming on the campus of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University.

Built at a cost of approximately Rs 9.94 crore, the state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence aims to connect farmers with modern techniques, research and training in organic farming. The centre will provide guidance to farmers of the state in adopting chemical-free farming, improving soil fertility and producing high-quality organic crops.

Cabinet Minister Sh. Ranbir Singh Gangwa, Nalwa MLA Sh. Randhir Panihar, Hisar MLA Smt. Savitri Jindal, former Cabinet Minister Dr. Kamal Gupta, LUVAS Vice-Chancellor Vinod Kumar Verma, MHU Karnal Vice-Chancellor Dr. Suresh Kumar Malhotra, Director, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Amit Khatri, Mayor Praveen Popli, besides other officers, employees and farmers were present on the occasion.

No.IPRDH/2026

*****