Synopsis
On March 12, AAP MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney presented a report advocating for food processing parks, crop diversification, and skill training in Punjab. He emphasized the need for AI in agriculture and organic farming while proposing specific crop clusters for various regions.Key Takeaways
- Advocacy for food processing parks in Punjab
- Integration of millets into school meal programs
- Promotion of AI technologies in agriculture
- Establishment of crop-specific clusters
- Urgent need for skill training for youth
Chandigarh, March 12 (NationPress) The Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab, Vikramjit Singh Sahney of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), introduced a report focusing on crop diversification on Wednesday.
The document titled 'Punjab Vision -- A Blueprint for Progress' suggested integrating millets into the Mid-Day Meal program in schools and including them in the government’s 5-kg ration initiative.
“Punjab ought to develop and promote Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies for sustainable crop diversification and implement an AI-driven chatbot to support farmers,” Sahney stated during a media briefing.
Regarding agricultural processing, Sahney highlighted the critical need for establishing food processing parks, ideally via multipurpose cooperative societies in clusters of villages equipped with storage and processing facilities including oil extraction, flour mills, and the processing and packaging of spices, pulses, honey, mushrooms, and more.
He also stressed the importance of organic farming, with organizations like MARKFED and Punjab Agro offering market linkages.
Sahney proposed forming crop-specific clusters such as pulses and oil seeds in the Malwa region, sugarcane in Doaba, maize in Hoshiarpur, dairy development in Kapurthala, floriculture in Ludhiana, litchi in Pathankot, and chillies in Ferozepur.
On trade and industry, he asserted that Punjab needs to create strong industrial zones and upgrade focal points in Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Mohali, and Amritsar.
He mentioned that the industrial zone in Rajpura is expected to commence operations within this year.
Sahney highlighted the necessity of skill training for the youth to safeguard lives and livelihoods.
He elaborated on five world-class skill centers he is establishing, along with ten ITIs he has adopted.
Addressing concerns over the diminishing water table and the contamination of water with arsenic and other harmful substances, he asserted, “We must implement direct-seeded rice along with a micro-irrigation system.”
The MP urged that Punjab should receive immediate funds under the Atal Bhujal Yojana for water conservation, as the state meets all the scheme's criteria.
