“Investment in agriculture to enhance mechanization, productivity”, Rajasthan Kisan Aayog Chairperson

Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], October 25 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiatives, such as ‘Make in India’ and ‘Invest in India,’ have been instrumental in attracting significant investments to the country. Building on this vision, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has launched the Rising Rajasthan Summit in its first year, aiming to boost investments and generate employment across the state, a press release said on Thursday.

Rajasthan Kisan Aayog Chairperson CR Choudhary said that several investment agreements and MoUs are being signed in various districts to drive growth.

While addressing the Rising Rajasthan Agriculture and Allied Sector Pre-Summit he said that increased investment in agriculture will enhance mechanization and technology leading to a rise in productivity of the state. The meeting was organized by the Department of Agriculture, the Government of Rajasthan, and FICCI.

Choudhary further said that Rajasthan, which is the largest state in India, ranks first in the country for the production of mustard, jawar, and oilseeds, and second in the production of millet and Peanuts. It ranks third among soybean, gram, and pulses.

He highlighted the development of food parks in cities like Jodhpur, Kota, Sri Ganganagar, and Alwar, with another one in the pipeline for Bikaner. He also noted the state’s impressive progress in the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) ranking, which has improved from 132 in 2014 to 63 today, signaling a more investor-friendly environment.

Chief Secretary, Sudhansh Pant emphasized the dynamic nature of the state’s agriculture and allied sectors, calling Rajasthan a prime example of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s More Crop Per Drop mission. An investment-focused initiative like Rising Rajasthan, launched in the Government’s first year, would reassure investors about the timely implementation of their projects over the next four years.

He also advocated for the revival of the Global Rajasthan Agritech Meet (GRAM), as a key platform for advancing agricultural innovation. Highlighting Rajasthan’s leadership in millet production, Pant urged the promotion of millets in Government offices and events to showcase the crop’s potential and support local farmers.

It is worth noting that till now MoUs of more than Rs 19,497 crore have been received from 862 investors of agriculture and related departments, in which proposals have been received from 693 investors of the agricultural marketing department, 121 from horticulture, 23 from agriculture, 9 from Rajasthan organic certification institute, 7 from Animal Husbandry and Dairy, 4 from seed corporation, 3 from fisheries department and 2 from cooperative department. Some of these MOUs were exchanged today at the pre-summit.

Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi, through a video conference, emphasized the need to view farmers as agricultural entrepreneurs.

He stressed the importance of collaboration between farmers and the private sector to drive innovation and growth in agriculture. Crop diversification, he noted, is crucial for long-term sustainability, while promoting natural farming methods can significantly reduce fertilizer costs.

Chaturvedi also highlighted the benefits of digital farming, which can enhance agricultural efficiency, lower costs, improve crop yields, and reduce environmental impact, positioning it as a key tool for the future of farming.

Secretary – Agriculture & Horticulture, Department of Agriculture, Government of Rajasthan, Rajan Vishal highlighted the importance of focusing on the “4 Ps”–productivity, procurement, processing, and popularization–in the state’s agricultural strategy. He underscored the need for technological advancements and innovative solutions to help double farmers’ incomes while empowering them to adopt sustainable practices that protect their livelihoods.

Additionally, Vishal emphasized the role of platforms like the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) framework, the Single Window System, the Kisaan Sathi Seva Portal, and the Kisan Suvidha App in streamlining processes and providing essential support to farmers.

Secretary of Animal Husbandry, Government of Rajasthan, Dr. Samit Sharma emphasized the need for entrepreneurs to harness the potential of byproducts from dairy and animal husbandry, such as cow dung and cow urine. He highlighted that investing in these areas presents significant opportunities for innovation, economic growth, and employment generation, while also contributing to sustainable practices in the sector.

Chairman of the National Dairy Development Board, Meenesh Shah shared industry insights. A progressive farmer from Jaipur, Surendra Awana, progressive farmer Sundaram Verma, who has been awarded Padma Shri in the agriculture sector, and other progressive farmers shared their experiences and achievements in agricultural innovation and organic farming. In addition, success stories and life examples were also presented about advanced and organic farming in the pre-summit.

As many as 350 investors and speakers participated in the pre-summit. Two plenary sessions were also organized in the event. The first session was on the topic ‘Enhancing Allied Sectors and Food Processing for Doubling Farmer’s Income’. The second session was on the topic ‘Technological Innovations and Digital Transformation in Agriculture and Allied Sectors’.

It is to be recalled that the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit 2024 will be held in Jaipur from December 9-11. It is being organized under the aegis of the Government of Rajasthan in collaboration with the Department of Industry and Commerce, Bureau of Investment Promotion (BIP), and Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation (RIICO).