Yogi Govt To Set Up FPO In Every Block, Redevelop Mandis And Get Global Tag For Kalanamak Rice

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) along with three different ministries of the government of India has organized the first virtual CII Agro and Food Tech: India - International Food and Agri Week from October 16-22. Yogi Adityanath spoke on the event and detailed the measures that his government in Uttar Pradesh took to ensure the well-being of its farmers during the pandemic, TNN reports.

There are 825 blocks in the state and the administration is formulating a farmer producer organization (FPO) in each one of them. Furthermore, they are enhancing mandis whilst also having set up more than 4,000 purchase centres for chana, paddy, and wheat. The CM elucidated about his vision of making the Kalanamak variety of rice internationally renowned.

“All sugar mills functioned during the lockdown and not a single worker was infected with the virus. We are taking measures to improve the condition of our farmers, about 92% of whom are small and marginal. Through the ‘One District One Product’ scheme, agricultural produce from various districts is being promoted. Under this scheme, the Kalanamak variety of rice has a registered GI tag now. We want it to be known internationally like Basmati rice,” CM Yogi said.

Furthermore, the Bharatiya Janta Party-led dispensation has taken decisions to slash ‘mandi fee’ for around 45 agricultural products. Farmers will be able to secure raw materials conveniently due to the FPOs that will be built in every block. Mango pack houses are being built in Varanasi and Amroha as 27 mandis will undergo development to become modern centres.

“The agri sector has provided a new direction to our economy in time of Covid slowdown. UP remains among the top states in the production of sugar, milk, and vegetables. During this year, we purchased 36 lakh tonnes of wheat and 39,000 tonnes of chana at the MSP,” the 48-year-old leader said.