Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers Welfare, and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, is set to visit the progressive Ransinh Kalan village in Punjab's Moga district this Thursday. The visit is aimed at interacting with the local farming community and reviewing the village's acclaimed environmentally and socially friendly initiatives.
A Model Village's Green Initiatives
Ransinh Kalan panchayat has distinguished itself through a series of forward-thinking measures. The village administration provides cash incentives to farmers for not burning crop residue, a major contributor to North India's air pollution. In a bid to combat the region's depleting water table, the panchayat offers free maize seeds to farmers willing to diversify from water-intensive paddy cultivation. Furthermore, the village promotes social welfare by giving cash incentives to drug-free families and is actively working towards becoming plastic-free.
Minister's Detailed Punjab Itinerary
Shivraj Singh Chouhan's engagement in Punjab begins on Wednesday evening with his arrival in Amritsar. He will stay the night in Jalandhar. On Thursday morning, his schedule kicks off with the pivotal interaction with farmers and villagers in Ransinh Kalan. This will be followed by an afternoon session in Jalandhar, where he will meet with MGNREGA beneficiaries to understand the impact of the rural employment scheme.
Later, at the Jalandhar district administrative complex, the Union Minister is scheduled to review various schemes of the Ministry of Rural Development with officers from both the central and state governments. His day concludes with another farmer interaction at the Central Potato Research Station in Badshahpur, Jalandhar, before his departure to Amritsar for a flight back to Delhi.
Focus on Sustainable Rural Development
This high-profile visit underscores the central government's focus on promoting sustainable agricultural practices and holistic rural development. Ransinh Kalan serves as a live case study of how local governance can effectively address critical issues like stubble burning, water conservation, and social well-being, making it a fitting destination for the minister's review.
