Sunflower production on priority for Indian agriculture
Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the way National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm have been started in the country, Sunflower will also be promoted in a planned manner.
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New Delhi, Apr 1 : Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the way National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm have been started in the country, Sunflower will also be promoted in a planned manner.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, is focused on promoting the area and production of Sunflower in the country. In this regard, Narendra Singh Tomar announced that a sub-committee consisting of all the major state governments, concerned stakeholders and officials would work out the roadmap. Urging the states to increase the production of sunflower, he also assured the support to the state governments for seeds, micro-irrigation as well as assistance to industries.
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The high-level meeting took place under the chairmanship of Union Agriculture Minister Tomar, whereby senior officials representing the states of Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and others had participated. Besides, Tomar also interacted with National Dairy Development Board, National Seeds Association of India, Federation of Seed Industry of India, private sector entrepreneurs and various important stakeholders of the oilseeds sector to realize the 'Sunflower goal.'
Showing interest in sunflower area expansion with the support of micro-irrigation, the Uttar Pradesh govt suggested that the success model of mustard needs to be replicated for sunflower as well. Karnataka too is set to continue the area expansion program in marginal lands, especially in the Rabi season, with assured irrigation facilities to enhance the income of farmers.
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Andhra Pradesh has shown interest in sunflower cultivation through the expansion of TRFA land in the paddy area, especially where borewells are installed. At the same time, Punjab is ready for area expansion by diversion of paddy area. Haryana has planned to expand the area in potato fallow area of about 30000 acres for the purpose.