Harpal Singh Cheema calls farmers to adopt agricultural diversification

Dirba : Punjab Finance, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Sunday called on the farmers of the state to shun traditional crop cycle of paddy and wheat, and adopt agricultural diversification. He said that the Punjab government has brought a number of schemes to save the ground water but farmers need to play a leading role in this direction to save the air and soil.

While visiting the one-acre dragon fruit garden planted by progressive farmer Balwinder Singh of Rogla village in Dirba, the Finance Minister appreciated his initiative and appealed other farmers to plant fruit gardens as per the recommendations of the horticulture department.

He said that government has been providing subsidy for planting fruit trees and garden machinery. He said that the hardworking and innovative farmers of Punjab have set their examples all over the world and progressive farmers like Balwinder Singh have set an example for others.

The cabinet minister said that the decision of planting dragon fruit garden would open new avenues of economic empowerment in the near future for Balwinder Singh as this fruit has been placed in the leading category of fruits rich in nutrients.

He said that Punjab government has been making special efforts to save the fast depleting ground water He said that farmers have also shown a lot of interest in planting guava, peach, pear and plum orchards in Sangrur district. He said that the success stories of these farmers would encourage.

Meanwhile, Balwinder Singh said that he has planted this dragon fruit garden last year and the abundant production this year has encouraged him a lot. On this occasion, Cabinet Minister’s OSD S. Tapinder Singh Sohi was also present.