New Delhi 28 July,
The Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi today inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple projects worth more than Rs. 1,000 at Sabar Dairy at Gadhoda Chowki, Sabarkantha, Gujarat.
These projects will empower local farmers and milk
producers and increase their income. This will also give a boost to the rural
economy in the region. The Prime Minister felicitated beneficiaries of Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme and top women
milk producers. Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel was among
those present on the occasion.
Addressing the
gathering, the Prime Minister said that “today Sabar Dairy has expanded. New
projects worth hundreds of crores are being set up here. Sabar Dairy's capacity
will increase further with the addition of a milk powder plant with modern
technology and one more line in the aseptic packing section.” The Prime
Minister also remembered Shri Bhurabhai Patel, one of the founder personalities
of the Sabar Dairy. The Prime Minister also recalled his long association with
the area and local people.
The Prime Minister
recalled the situation of deprivation and
drought two decades ago. He recalled how he, as the Chief Minister,
enlisted the people’s cooperation and tried to improve the situation in the
region. He said cattle rearing and dairy was the key element of that efforts. He also talked about
steps for promoting animal husbandry by providing fodder, medicine and also
promoting Ayurvedic treatment for cattle. He mentioned Gujarat Jyotigram Scheme
as a catalyst of development.
The Prime Minister
noted with pride that due to steps taken in the past two decades the dairy
market in Gujarat has reached 1 lakh crore rupees. He recalled his earlier
visits in 2007 and 2011 and his request to increase the participation of women.
Now most of the committees have good representation of women. Payment for milk
is mostly done to women, he said.
He said these
experiments are being used in other areas also. Today, the work of formation of
10,000 Farmer Producer Associations (FPOs) is going on in full swing in the
country. Through these FPOs, small farmers will be able to directly connect
with the food processing, value linked export and supply chain. The farmers of
Gujarat are also going to benefit a lot from it, he said.
He said that the
strategy of creating alternative income streams for farmers is bearing fruit.
Horticulture, fishery, honey production are giving good income to the farmers.
Khadi and Gramodyog turnover has gone over one lakh crore for the first time.
More than 1.5 crore new jobs were created in this sector in villages. Measures
like increasing ethanol blending in petrol are creating new avenues for the
farmers. “Until 2014, less than 400 million litres of ethanol was blended in
the country. Today it is reaching around 400 crore litres. Our government has
also given Kisan Credit Cards to more than 3 crore farmers by running a special
campaign in the last 2 years”, he added.
The Prime Minister
said that steps like neem-coating of urea, opening closed fertiliser plants and
promoting nano fertilisers and ensuring urea availability at affordable prices
despite global price hike have benefited the farmers of the country and that of
Gujarat. Sujlam Suflam Scheme has made water available to many tehsils of
Sabarkantha district. Similarly, he said that connectivity has been increased
at an unprecedented scale in the district and nearby areas. Railway and highway
projects have improved the connectivity in the region. This connectivity is
helping tourism and in ensuring jobs for the youth, he said.
Reiterating the
importance of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Prime Minister recalled the
sacrifice of the local tribal leaders. The Prime Minister informed that the government has declared the birth
anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda Ji on 15th November as Janjatiya Gaurav
Diwas . “Our government is also building a special museum in the memory of
tribal freedom fighters across the country.” He continued, “for the first time,
the country's daughter coming from tribal society has reached the highest constitutional
post of India. The country has made Mrs. Draupadi Murru ji its President. This
is a moment of great pride for over 130 crore Indians.”