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The Uttar Pradesh government had organized Shri Anna Mahotsav from October 27 to 29, 2023. This three-day program was organized at Jupiter Hall, Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in the state. In this, those farmers were honored who had made significant contributions in millet production. To increase awareness regarding millets and the benefits of their cultivation, the Uttar Pradesh government had organized Shri Anna Mahotsav. The main objective of this program was to promote the use of millets and to recognize the efforts of progressive farmers who have made significant contributions in millet production. 

Also, this event, which took place just before Krishi Kumbh, was inaugurated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Shri Anna Mahotsav was a state level event. Farmers from different divisions came together to share their experiences and knowledge. On the inaugural day, farmers from six divisions gathered to discuss the cultivation and consumption of millets. Farmers from five divisions participated on the second day. Also, on the last day, farmers from seven divisions participated in the program. Altogether, fifty progressive farmers from each division were part of the event. 

What is the main objective of Shri Anna Mahotsav

The main objective of Shri Anna Mahotsav is to create awareness among both the general public and farmers about the cultivation and consumption of millets within the state. It is a fact that millets are making their own place across the world for their many health benefits and their role in sustainable agriculture. To give more promotion to millets, around 40 stalls of various millets-based food products were set up during the event. This gave the attendees an opportunity to taste and appreciate a variety of dishes made from millets.

Also read: India is the largest producer of grains, government is taking steps to increase production

Farmers will also be honoured

Apart from promoting awareness about millets, the state government had also announced a scheme to honor farmers who have made significant contributions to millet production. Its objective is to make more and more farmers aware about the cultivation of millets and encourage them to adopt it across the state.

Sustainable agriculture will be promoted

Shri Anna Mahotsav is not just a festival of millets, it is an exercise towards making it a major part of the agricultural landscape of Uttar Pradesh. By involving farmers in this campaign, the government is likely to start the millets revolution. Apart from promoting sustainable agriculture, its consumption will also bring great improvement in the health and nutrition of the citizens.

Great news! The Odisha Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, has recently inaugurated the Lower Suktel Irrigation Project, which has been pending for two decades due to various reasons. The project is expected to meet the drinking water needs of Bolangir Municipality and Patnagarh NAC, and will also play a crucial role in irrigating around 1.00 lakh acres of land in 203 villages, benefiting approximately 75,000 farmers. This is a remarkable development for Bolangir, which has always been a drought-prone area of Odisha, with only 31% of the land irrigated and an average rainfall of 110 cm per year. With this project in place, the picture of farmers and agriculture in Bolangir is expected to change for the better.

Drinking water supply will also be ensured

Under this project, the drinking water requirements of Bolangir Municipality and Patnagarh NAC will be met. Industry and tourism will also benefit greatly from this. CM Naveen Patnaik decided in 2019 that this project would be taken up under the 5T initiative. Also, it will be intensified with smart technology and teamwork.

Also read: State government's attack on irrigation problem, government will give 80% grant under this scheme.

Underground pipelines are being used 

Underground pipelines are being used to supply irrigation water, which is the first case of its kind in the state. This will prevent water leakage and waste. To complete the project on time, a composite girder has been used instead of RCC for the spillway deck slab. Automatic radial spillway gates have been installed to remotely control it through Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA).

The project will provide water for irrigation of land in hundreds of villages.

Let us tell you that this project has been designed for micro-irrigation.  This is one of the most modern projects in India. About 1.00 lakh acres (40000 hectares) of land in 203 villages will be irrigated. This will benefit around 75,000 farmers and provide drinking water to Bolangir Municipality. Due to this, there will be opportunities for agriculture-related jobs throughout the year. Also, agriculture will play a role in increasing income, socio-economic improvement, and reverse migration. Apart from this, horticulture, agro-industry, small-scale industries, tourism, etc. will also be encouraged.

Millions of acres of land can be irrigated

Presently Naveen Patnaik government has dedicated various major water infrastructure projects like Upper Indravati Lift Canal benefiting Kalahandi district. Due to this, Nuapada and Bolangir districts are benefiting from lower Indra. Let us tell you that this will benefit the districts of Haldia, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Mayurbhanj and Koraput. These projects will collectively provide irrigation facilities to 3.64 lakh acres (1.47 lakh hectares) .

 Before the Lok Sabha elections, the Yogi government of Uttar Pradesh gave a gift to the farmers by increasing the price of sugarcane in the state by Rs 20 per quintal. However, BKU leader Rakesh Tikait is calling it a joke with the farmer. Rakesh Tikait, while talking to the media, Chaudhary Rakesh Tikait, National Spokesperson of the Farmers Union, said, " The price of sugarcane announced today by the Uttar Pradesh government is not enough. Farmers are disappointed with the increase of only Rs 20. Farmers of the state of Haryana Like I was expecting sugarcane prices to be declared above Rs 400 because the expenditure on farming is increasing every day. In proportion to this, farmers are not getting fair price for the crop."

Tractor parade will be held on 26th January

He said that on January 26, we will take out the tractor parade at block and tehsil level across the country. We had also taken out a tractor parade during the farmers' movement in Delhi. Along with the Bharat Bandh on 16th February, the farmers of the country will not do all the farming work for one day. Tikait said that the Bharatiya Kisan Union is pending. Regarding all its demands, it will organize a one-day Kisan Mahapanchayat on March 14 in the country's capital Delhi, in which farmers from all over the country will participate.

Also read: Haryana government giving highest price for sugarcane

The future of farmers will be decided by the movement, not the government – ​​BKU

Before this, the national spokesperson of Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Chaudhary Rakesh Tikait said that the future of the farmers will be decided not by the government but by the movement. Whoever forms the government at the Centre, the voice of the farmers will have to be heard. He said that our organization is apolitical. We have no active role in the Lok Sabha elections. Capitalism is dominating the country. Farmers' children do not have employment. They are making their living by selling land. Farmers get the lowest level of health facilities. Under compulsion, lakhs of farmers are becoming landless and becoming laborers.

 
How many times did the Yogi government increase the price of sugarcane?

Yogi Adityanath government has given a gift to the sugarcane farmers of Uttar Pradesh. The support price of sugarcane has been increased by Rs 20 per quintal. This decision has been taken in the cabinet meeting held on Thursday. During this period about a dozen proposals were also discussed. Sugarcane farmers of Western UP have expressed happiness over this decision of the UP government. Let us tell you that this is the third time after 2017 that the Yogi government has increased the support price of sugarcane for the third time. For the first time in 2017, when the BJP government was formed, the support price of sugarcane was increased by Rs 10 per quintal. After this, before the 2022 assembly elections, the price of sugarcane was increased by Rs 25 per quintal in 2021. If seen this way, in the last seven years the Yogi government has increased the support price of sugarcane by Rs 55 per quintal.