Gandhinagar, March 12 (NationPress) In an impressive feat, Gujarat has recorded phenomenal growth in its agricultural sector over the last twenty years, with a staggering 696% increase in cotton production and a 575% rise in groundnut output, as stated by Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani during a session in the state Legislative Assembly.

Vaghani elaborated on the state’s agricultural and cooperative framework, asserting: “Farmers are not merely food providers; they are the lifeblood of our economy.”

The minister emphasized Gujarat’s evolution into a national agricultural hub, with over 40 significant crops being grown throughout the state.

When analyzing the data from the last two decades, cotton production surged from 11.6 lakh bales to 92.48 lakh bales, while productivity improved from 122 kg per hectare to 586 kg per hectare.

Similarly, groundnut production escalated from 6.88 lakh metric tonnes to 46.46 lakh metric tonnes, with productivity soaring from 398 kg per hectare to 2,740 kg per hectare.

Sugarcane output saw a 150% increase, accompanied by a 58% boost in productivity. Pulses production rose by 733%, oilseeds by 347%, and food grains production increased by 270%, with productivity enhancements of 181%.

Vaghani pointed out that several regional crops have garnered international acclaim, including Gir’s renowned Kesar Mango, Bhal’s Bhalia Wheat, Kutch’s Kharak, and Valsad’s Chikoo, all of which are now recognized with G.I. tags.

He also outlined the positive effects of national policies on farmers, emphasizing that the Prime Minister has enacted “a groundbreaking policy guaranteeing farmers receive one-and-a-half times the cost of production.”

“From 2013–14 to 2025–26, minimum support prices for food grains increased by 81 to 147%, for pulses by 81 to 95%, for oilseeds by 82 to 119%, and for cash crops like cotton and sugarcane by 70 to 103%,” he added.

In the past five years, Gujarat procured over 59.87 lakh metric tonnes of crops valued at Rs 39,155 crore under minimum support prices.

“Even in times of natural calamities, the state has acted as a protective barrier for farmers,” Vaghani mentioned.

This year, the government has extended over Rs 9,759 crore in assistance to more than 33.21 lakh farmers affected by disasters, while over the past five years, 53 lakh farmers have received a total of Rs 12,900 crore during crises.

He highlighted the integration of technology in agriculture, noting that more than 18 lakh farmers are registered under i-Khedut 2.0.

Utilizing artificial intelligence tools and mobile applications such as the ‘Krushi Pragati’ app, they have resolved 3.54 lakh issues and diagnosed crop diseases in 60,000 cases.

Digital crop surveys have geo-tagged over 80 lakh plots and provided 59 lakh farmers with a unique ‘Farmer ID’.

“Tractor registrations have surged by 445% compared to 1995, while the irrigated area expanded from 29 lakh hectares to 109 lakh hectares. Additionally, over 45 crore SMS advisories concerning agriculture have been sent to farmers,” he stated.

On the topic of horticulture and natural farming, the Minister noted that Gujarat leads in the cultivation of chikoo, papaya, ridge gourd, cumin, and watermelon, and ranks second in pomegranate, coriander, banana, and onion.

Cold storage facilities with a capacity of 27.4 lakh metric tonnes have been established through 548 units to safeguard horticultural produce.

“The state boasts 97 operational natural farming FPOs, the highest in India, and plans to transform 500 villages into ‘ideal natural villages’. Furthermore, the first-ever Natural Agriculture Science University has been set up at Halol, offering courses from Balvatika to PhD,” he stated.

The Minister also shared achievements in the cooperative sector, reporting that milk collection has surged by 500%, reaching three crore litres daily, with livestock owners receiving daily payments of Rs 200 crore.

He added: “Financial assistance for farmers includes Rs 1,539 crore in interest-free loans, the opening of 32 lakh new accounts, and deposits rising by Rs 16,210 crore. The state is also rolling out cooperative-led ‘Bharat Taxi’ services and bio-CNG plants with an investment of Rs 60 crore.”

The Minister revealed plans to boost food grain productivity from 2.7 to 3 metric tonnes per hectare, create an Agri Business and Innovation Hub in Ahmedabad with an investment of Rs 22.5 crore, establish a new food park in Vav-Tharad, and enhance logistic facilities in North Gujarat.

“Through agricultural business and export initiatives, we aim to elevate the income of 50 lakh farmers and attract Rs one lakh crore in investments,” he concluded.