JAIPUR: Chief minister Vasundhara Raje on Wednesday said Rajasthan is committed to transform its agricultural landscape by actively adopting world-class technology and innovation with an objective to increase efficiency, reduce costs and ensure sustainability in farming. 

Raje was speaking at the inaugural session of the 'Global Rajasthan Agritech Meet (GRAM 2016) on Wednesday in Jaipur. The mega event has been jointly organized by state government and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). 

Raje said that Rajasthan has evolved as a strong investment friendly state. "Just one year of holding the Resurgent Rajasthan Summit 2015, projects valued at almost Rs 5,000 crore have already been implemented and projects worth Rs 54,000 crore and Rs 49,000 crore are under construction and under various stages of clearance, respectively. Excluding the solar energy projects, the total investment is likely to be Rs 1.08 lakh crore. This is one of the fastest and highest conversion rates for any state in the country," she added. 

Governor Kalyan Singh said that for a smart nation, it is imperative to develop not only smart cities but also smart villages. "Development of road, irrigation, education, electricity, health, security, employment, self-reliance is major tenets which should be focused for developing a smart village," said Singh. 

He further said that the farmers, industry leaders, scientists and the government will have to join hands together to pave the way for doubling the farmers' income by 2022. He emphasized on increasing per acre productivity to meet the demand of increasing population. 

Union minister of state for agriculture farmers welfare and panchayati raj, Parshottam Rupala said that Rajasthan is not only competing with other leading states in the field of agriculture but has emerged as a leader in various agriculture products. 

Yoga Guru, Baba Ramdev during his address announced to set up a mega food park and launching milk products in Rajasthan. He said Rajasthan is working aggressively towards making the state agriculturally strong. He said if given an opportunity, Patanjali is ready to work with the state government in all the agricultural produce of the state, including aloe vera, isabgol, bajra and amla on a buy back arrangement with farmers. "Rajasthan ke bajre ko toh hum poore desh mei khilangey," he asserted. 

Minister for agriculture and animal husbandryPrabhu Lal Saini said that GRAM has brought together all stakeholders like farmers, academicians, technologists, agri business companies and policy makers to accelerate development of sustainable agriculture. 

Major announcements 

  • Setting up of custom hiring centres in all panchayat samitis in co-operation with industry for hiring agriculture machinery through free internet and tool-free telephones 
  • In next three years, 2,652 custom hiring centres will be formed. This will generate employment for 13,000 youths 
  • Agri tourism to be promoted in a big way to familiarise the tourists with the rural life of people 
  • Subsidy and tax relief to ayurveda healthcare centres under Rajasthan Investment Promotion Scheme 2014 
  • Herbal plants processing, packing of medicinal/aromatic plants, and minor forest products packaging will get RIPS benefits 
  • Agro processing and agri marketing units registered before March 31, 2019 will be free of conversion charges 
  • Atal Sewa Kendras and e-mitra kioks being converted into knowledge centres with online connectivity. It will provide information on weather, inputs, advisories and prices