‘BT Cotton Farmers’ Faced More Challenges: OP Dhankar, Agriculture Minister Of Haryana
In his recent address to farmers’ in Malout District of Punjab, the Prime Minister has specially applauded the Haryana farmers' for their role in India’s record production in entire agriculture domain. With 279.51 million tonne production estimates of food grains for third advance estimates, the government of India is eyeing to break another record. The considerable share in the record production still belongs to Haryana. BW Businessworld speaks to Agriculture Minister of Haryana, Om Prakash Dhankar to know more on the approach towards Haryana farmers. The edited Excerpts:
How do you look at the possibilities of doubling farmers’ income by 2022?
This is practical and has witnessed a good pace in the last four years. The way MSP’s have been raised, every acre of farmland in Haryana has witnessed average growth of Rs 11,000, and the recent MSP hikes will increase the earnings from minimum of Rs 9,000 to Rs 32,000.
So, it makes the goal easier to achieve?
Yes, that is very much in grip now. See, the data that we have taken is from 2015-16 and now it has grown more with more rapid pace. The way it is approaching the targets, I must say it is very much gettable now, rise in MSP’s has played a key role.
PM has applauded Haryana farmers’ in his recent rally in Malout, his concentration was more on cotton farmers. We know that cotton has always been crucial for pesticide industry, what are your views?
See, this is right that cotton has faced challenges due to the use of pesticide and none can deny this, but this time the earnings will go up by some Rs 18,000 per acre in cotton as well and it is a very welcome step.
Is there a pest and pesticide issue for cotton?
Yes, the recent white flies issue in cotton has been in discussion among stakeholders. In fact, the long intervals in rain have made us pay some Rs 965 crore to cotton farmers of Haryana. I must say that Bt cotton farmers’ faced more challenge than farmers using country breeds. This is also admissible that there were places, where improper use of pesticide in cotton has also posed a challenge to us.
You said Haryana is on the way to feed Delhi population via organic means, while you have also said that we (Haryana people) prefer to eat wheat from MP. Isn’t it a contradiction?
We are changing and I have given example of our preferences that is a part of the change.
So what does it mean to feed Delhi people?
Yes, we are also transforming to organic ways, we are concentrating on milk production (from country breeds), we are moving towards horticulture, fruits and fish farming. Haryana can no more be restricted to ‘Rice Bowl’ title only. We have increased the size and versatility of our bowl.
How are you transforming?
We have changed our way of farming and making it more peri-urban farming, means production while eyeing upon the urban demands. It is a huge market full of opportunity that’s why we are transforming.
What is the core competency you have?
I have the capacity to supply fresh milk from Sirsa to a Delhi residence within matter of hours. I have the capacity to let a Delhi resident cook tomatoes grown in Haryana within matter of hours. I can even let a Delhi resident gift her wife bunch of beautiful flowers grown in Haryana in matter of hours. This is my capacity in Haryana that none can challenge. We have entitled 300 villages as horticulture villages and we are adding more, we cover Delhi from three corners, we definitely have an edge that none else possess. We are eyeing to cover entire NCR fresh market. People have started preferring hygienic food and we will satisfy their demands.
What are your views on GM crops?
Look, many nations have accepted it and many nations are against this concept of GM. We are already using it in terms of cotton, for other crops we are not using it as of now. As far as deciding the use of GM is concerned, it’s a national issue, we will respect the decision of the entire nation.
What do you think will be the share of Haryana in this year’s agriculture income?
Our income is rapidly increasing, Rs 1,500 crore is what I am expecting as an additional income. Paddy may earn Rs 1,200 crore additional and I am expecting an additional Rs 300 crore on other crops. I am very much sure that Rabi season will return us more profits.
