January 03, 2026 05:05 am (IST)
Follow us:
Nitin Gadkari: Conservation of water and diversification of agriculture key to improve farmers' conditions
New Delhi, Jun 14 (IBNS): Minister of Road Transport and Highways and Shipping, Nitin Gadkari, speaking at a National Seminar on Liberating Farmers from Debt Trap: Challenges of Policy Reforms in India in New Delhi on Tuesday, said acute shortage of water and lack of innovation and diversification in farming and other related activities are the main reasons responsible for the poor economic conditions of farmers in the country.
Gadkari said that irrigation infrastructure in the country is grossly insufficient. While he hailed the increased funding for the 89 languishing Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programmes (AIBP) and other irrigation schemes, he said that much of the water problem can we solved if we learn to conserve and use the water available with us.
In this regard he stressed upon the need to build check dams to maintain the draft of rivers and streams.
He also called upon state governments to increase their funding for irrigation and gave the example of Madhya Pradesh where increased irrigation spending has resulted in higher productivity.
While speaking about water conservation, Gadkari also said that the Jal Marg Vikas project on river Ganga and the development of the other 111 recently declared National Waterways are aimed at raising the water table and making water available for irrigation.
The Minister also stressed upon the need for diversification of agriculture and innovation in agro based industries like food processing, beekeeping, fisheries, bamboo based industries etc.
He said that research efforts should be made to bring in innovative technology to make best use of locally available products including waste.
In this regard he cited the example of producing amino acid fertilizers from human hair and second generation ethanol from agro and municipal waste.
The Minister also informed that the Green Highways programme will also generate employment for the village youth and help improving their financial condition.
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's son Raihan announces engagement to Aviva Baig, shares first glimpse
Fri, Jan 02 2026
Dharamshala student’s death leads to FIR over ragging, sexual assault; seniors, professor booked
Fri, Jan 02 2026
India issues stern notice to X, flags Grok’s role in targeting women with obscene content
Fri, Jan 02 2026
Historic moment! India’s first bullet train mountain tunnel breakthrough reached in Palghar
Fri, Jan 02 2026
India and Pakistan exchange lists of nuclear installations months after Operation Sindoor
Fri, Jan 02 2026
‘Epicentre of misgovernance’: Rahul Gandhi blasts Madhya Pradesh govt over deadly water contamination
Fri, Jan 02 2026
‘Bad neighbours’: Jaishankar shreds Pakistan, defends India’s right to act against cross-border terror
Fri, Jan 02 2026