Agricultural Investments Set to Enhance Productivity and Growth in Rajasthan
Published On Oct 26, 2024 03:27 AM
Rajasthan is the nation's top producer of oilseeds, mustard, and jowar, and its second-largest producer of millets and peanuts.
Initiatives like "Make in India" and "Invest in India," spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have spurred a surge in investment, particularly in vital industries like agriculture. Building on this momentum, Rajasthan is preparing for breakthroughs with the Rising Rajasthan Summit, an occasion designed to draw in investments and create jobs. The summit, introduced by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma of Rajasthan, is anticipated to bring about significant changes throughout the state.
The leader of this movement is CR Choudhary, the chairperson of the Rajasthan Kisan Aayog, who recently underlined the importance of investments in raising agricultural output and mechanisation. In his speech at the Rising Rajasthan Agriculture and Allied Sector Pre-Summit, he emphasised how technical developments, bolstered by more investments, would raise production throughout Rajasthan's agricultural landscape.
A Pioneer in Agricultural Production: Rajasthan
With the highest production of oilseeds, mustard, and jawar and the second-highest production of millet and peanuts, Rajasthan is a major player in Indian agriculture. In terms of soybean, pulse, and gramme production, it comes in third. The state is essential to India's food security and economic stability because of its varied agricultural base.
The growth of food parks in places like Jodhpur, Kota, Sri Ganganagar, and Alwar was emphasised by CR Choudhary. The state's agri-processing capability will be further increased with the construction of a new food park in Bikaner. These improvements are in line with Rajasthan's enhanced Ease of Doing Business (EODB) ranking, which has improved significantly from 132 in 2014 to 63 today, improving the investment climate.
Promoting Farmer Empowerment and Innovation
Rajasthan's Chief Secretary, Sudhansh Pant, emphasised the need of enhancing agriculture's vitality and inventiveness. He underlined the necessity of programs like Rising Rajasthan to reassure investors about the timely implementation of their projects, citing Prime Minister Modi's "More Crop Per Drop" campaign.
Pant also promoted the revival of the Global Rajasthan Agritech Meet (GRAMME), a forum for advancing technologies in agriculture. In order to encourage local farmers and showcase the crop's potential, he emphasised Rajasthan's leadership in millet production and called for increased marketing of millets at government offices and events.
Agreements and Investment Promises
862 investors in agricultural and associated industries exchanged memorandums of understanding (MoUs) totalling more than Rs 19,497 crore during the pre-summit. It is anticipated that these agreements would result in large investments in a number of agricultural subsectors, such as organic farming, horticulture, marketing, and animal husbandry. This pledge demonstrates the rising awareness of Rajasthan's agricultural potential and the actions being taken to guarantee that investments result in noticeable expansion.
Farmers as Business Owners: A Team-Based Method
The Secretary of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi, stressed the significance of considering farmers as business owners. In order to promote innovation, crop variety, and sustainable farming methods, he emphasised the necessity of cooperation between farmers and the private sector. Important tactics for the future of Indian agriculture were emphasised, including digital farming, ecological farming practices, and lowering fertiliser dependency.
Using Technology to Empower Farmers
Rajasthan's Secretary of Agriculture and Horticulture, Rajan Vishal, laid up a precise plan centred on the "4 Ps": popularisation, processing, procurement, and productivity. He underlined that farmers might double their revenues and be empowered to embrace sustainable methods that protect their livelihoods by utilising technology breakthroughs.
Furthermore, tools like the Kisan Suvidha App, Kisaan Sathi Seva Portal, and Single Window System are essential in helping farmers streamline their operations and obtain the resources and assistance they require.
Animal Husbandry Innovation
The Secretary of Animal Husbandry, Dr. Samit Sharma, emphasised the unrealised potential of dairy and animal husbandry wastes including cow urine and dung. He urged business owners to investigate these fields since they provide great chances for employment creation, economic expansion, and innovation in addition to supporting sustainable practices.
Moving Forward with Greater Productivity
Rajasthan is undoubtedly establishing itself as a pioneer in agricultural innovation as it gets ready for the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit in December 2024. With an emphasis on improving sustainability, technology, and mechanisation, Rajasthan is leading by example. A bright future for its farmers and the agricultural industry overall is promised by the state's aggressive efforts to draw in investment and foster innovation.
350 investors attended the pre-summit, which included plenary talks on technology advancements, food processing, and related industries. Rajasthan is well on its way to become India's centre of agricultural excellence with such a solid basis.