The present state and central government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have taken a series of steps for the benefit of farmers and for giving them due respect.

Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath informed this while inaugurating the newly constructed market building at Barpathari Agri Produce Market today.

The Minister said that now farmers are given due respect and are getting the actual price for their products.

He said that at present, we have 554 agriculture markets, among which 84 are wholesale markets and 21 are Agri Produce Markets.

“In South district, there are three Agri Produce Markets, including Barpathari, Kalsi, and Santirbazar. During the last seven years of the Left Front government, they spent Rs 20 crore 26 lakh, and after we came into power, we have spent Rs 303 crore in these seven years. A total of 144 markets were set up. No one can say that they don’t have any market. This is what Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas means. These 21 Agri Produce Markets will be brought under the E-NAM platform. Farmers can keep their products in the market and sell them online through the E-market for a proper and actual price. We have to develop more,” said the Minister.

The Agriculture Minister informed that among these 21 markets, around 7 markets have already been brought under the E-platform market, which are Panisagar, Pabiachara, Kulai, Teiamura, Mohanpur, Sonamura, and Santirbazar. Work is underway in Dasda, Barpathari, Kalaynapur, Bachaibari, Champaknagar, Bishalgarh, Jampuijala, Melaghar, Natun Bazar, Ganda Twisa, Chamanu, and Garjee.

He said that earlier, farmers were not given due respect, but now farmers are receiving it.

“If we do not have farmers, can we have food? Farmers are like gods. That is why we are giving respect and importance to farmers. Earlier, our country was not self-sufficient in food, and we had to import grains from foreign countries. But now, India is in second place in paddy production. We have to export paddy to other countries, and this is possible because of the farmers. Farmers and agriculture are the foundation of the state and the country. Earlier, people had not received homes, but after PM Modi came, he said that everyone must receive a home. This is Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, along with access to drinking water,” he added.