Jharkhand government determined to increase farmer’s income: CM Hemant

CM lays foundation stone of 14 rice mills in 10 districts

Ranchi, January 24: Jharkhand government took a step to strengthen income of farmers and reduce dependency on rice mills of other states as the chief minister Hemant Soren laid foundation stones of 14 rice mills in 10 districts of the state on Monday. 

“The state government is making continuous efforts to make the farmers of Jharkhand prosperous by looking after promoting their interest. As part of this effort today the foundation stone of 14 rice mills in 10 districts is being laid by the state government. By promoting food processing units in Jharkhand, it is the priority of our government to provide fair prices to the farmers  for their produce. Due to paucity of resources our farmer brothers have to face many challenges. The state government is working to improve the resources keeping in mind all the links including maintenance, storage and milling of crops. Our government is moving ahead continuously in the field of animal husbandry, fisheries including rice mills, other food processing units,” said Hemant Soren at a function in Project Bhawan, Ranchi while laying online the foundation stones of rice mills. 

“Jharkhand is an agricultural state. About 70 percent of the people here depend on agriculture. Our farmers are the real key in the all-round progress of the state. The state government has taken a pledge to strengthen these hands with its welfare schemes. Due to paucity of rice mills in the state, farmers were not getting adequate price for their produce. With the opening of rice mills, those problems will now come to an end. Today we are laying the foundation stone of 14 rice mills in 10 districts, but with these 14 rice mills, the target of our people will not be fulfilled, for this we will have to set up at least 100 rice mills units in the state. Only then the target will be fulfilled, in this direction our government is moving gradually. It is our endeavor that in the fields where the foundation stone of rice mills is being laid, all these units can be made at the earliest and dedicated to the service of farmers. Our government has taken a resolve to improve the farmers income,” said Soren. 

The Chief Minister said that under the new Food Processing Policy, Jharkhand Industrial Area Development Authority is providing land to the investors at concessional rates. The state government is encouraging investors in many ways to set up processing units in the state. 
“Opening of new and modern rice mills would give a big support to the farmers of the state as well as the economy of Jharkhand. With the establishment of rice mills, a large number of local people will also get employment opportunities,” added Soren

On this occasion, Food Supplies and Public Distribution minister Rameshwar Oraon expressed happiness at the foundation stone of 14 rice mills in different districts of the state. 

“It is a milestone for the state and the chief minister deserves congratulation. Keeping in view the problems of the farmers, laying the foundation stone of 14 rice mills simultaneously in the state shows the commitment of the government. There is a dire need of rice mills in the state. In the absence of rice mills, the farmers of the state had to send their crops to other states for milling. Apart from rice mills there is a need to set up food processing units including pulse mill, flour meal and other food processing units in Jharkhand, only then the farmers here will get fair price for their crops,” said Rameshwar Oraon. 

On this occasion, industry department secretary Pooja Singhal gave detailed information about the food processing policy through a powerpoint presentation and informed that region-wise Kurmipur of Palamu district, Garza and Hethma of Simdega district, Timra and Kalamati of Khunti district, Kasira and Konbir of Gumla district, Kushmahi of Garhwa district, Jalta of Latehar, Jagannathpur and Chakradharpur in West Singhbhum district, Sealjoda, Deviana in Dhanbad district, Mirdha in Bokaro district and Govardhanpur in Godda district will have rice mills set up in the days to come after the foundation stone laid on Monday. She also provided detailed incentives and subsidies under food processing policy for the investors.