India: Maharashtra Govt To Set Up New Integrated Textile Park In Beed

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India: Maharashtra Govt To Set Up New Integrated Textile Park In Beed

In order to improve the economic condition of farmers and usher in the processing of agricultural produce, the state government will soon be setting up its second integrated textile park in Beed. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis informed the government will make special efforts to increase the usage of indigenous seeds in the state.

Fadnavis was speaking at the book launch ceremony of Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana (SSS) leader Sadabhau Khot. “The state government has already announced the setting up of an Integrated Textile Park in Amravati and recently Raymond has declared its intention to do the same. It will help in generating more employment opportunities,” said Fadnavis.

Fadnavis said that although the state produces 31% of total cotton produced in the country, only 25% is processed and treated. Processing of agricultural produce, he said, allows more economic strength to the farmers. Fadnavis, while talking about the present drought situation in the state, said that through the state government’s flagship programme of Jal Yukta Shivar, 24 TMC of water has been conserved in the state in the last one year. “This cost only Rs 1,400 crore. During the previous government’s regime, such conservation would have cost almost double,” he said.

Making a strong case for decentralised water resources, Fadnavis said that big dams have only managed to give water to a handful of people. “The present crisis in front of the government is due to wrong policies and that has to be corrected,” he said.

Another scheme the state government has started to help the distressed agricultural community is the streamlining of the distribution of agricultural pumps. He said that the state government has decided to the clear all pending applications. “In the last five years, there was a huge backlog of pending applications of agricultural pumps. We have decided to start a system in which no one has to wait for allocation of such pumps any more,” he said.

Although Rs 7-8 crore is distributed as crop loans every year, Fadnavis said that not even 25% is spent to improve the infrastructure of the farms. “Crop loans are for short terms but some portion of it should be used to improve the infrastructure of the farms. That will help in improving the level of agricultural practices in the country,” he said.