DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

Haryana's Agriculture, Farmers' Welfare, Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries Minister Shyam Singh Rana said the government is trying to make the 'sem' affected land fertile again and is implementing grant-based schemes.

Shyam Singh Rana was chairing a joint meeting of departmental officers related to farming, prominent farmers and fish farmers in Jhajjar district today.

He said a report should be prepared by surveying the 'sem' infested land in Jhajjar district. 1,86,925 acres of land is 'sem' infested in Jhajjar district. He said this year, the target of making at least 10,000 acres of land free from this problem.

The Agriculture Minister said the saline water extracted from land can be used for fish farming. This will give double benefit to farmers. Where there is saline land, fish farming can be started by digging a pond near it. Saline water is considered the best for shrimp. For this, grant-based schemes have been made and implemented by the government.

The minister was told that a farmer from Bakara village has started project work on this. The Agriculture Minister said the farmer should be given full help in preparing this project and he himself will observe this project during the next visit.

The minister said for the benefit of fish farmers, the government is going to start the facility of mobile water testing lab. It is also considering increasing the limit and scope of grant-based schemes. The government is trying to increase the income of farmers, promote organic and natural farming instead of chemical farming.

(editor@dailyworld.in)