Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Tuesday sent 1,000 quintals of wheat seeds as aid to flood-affected farmers in Punjab.
While flagging off 2,500 bags of wheat seeds to the state, the Chief Minister said that Punjab has played a historic role in achieving the goal of agricultural self-reliance in independent India. However, excessive rainfall this year has hit the state’s agriculture sector badly, destroying even the seed reserves of farmers which is likely to have a serious impact on future crops.
Punjab’s farmers will not face this disaster alone, he said, adding under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the double-engine government — the Government of India and the Government of Uttar Pradesh — stands with every disaster-affected citizen, whether it be in the form of relief material, financial assistance, or rehabilitation efforts.
The Chief Minister said the Agriculture Department and the Uttar Pradesh Seeds and Development Corporation is sending 2,500 bags, or 1,000 quintals, of wheat seeds to Punjab. He recalled that when floods struck Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, the Uttar Pradesh government sent relief materials to these states and also provided funds from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
Of the “BB-327” variety, also known as Karan Shivani, the wheat seeds that are disease-resistant and bio-fortified mature in just 155 days .
CM Yogi noted that when the current government took office, the corporation was struggling. However, today it operates on a dividend of approximately ₹148 crore and has earned a net profit of ₹37 crore in just one year.
“This is proof that if institutions work with dedication and honesty, they can not only generate profits but also significantly contribute to making farmers self-reliant.”
CM Yogi said that a seed park will soon be established here in the memory of former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh and the government plans to establish five more seed parks in the state.