GM crop not allowed in Rajasthan, farmers for organic farming: Vasundhara Raje

JAIPUR: Amidst the debate over allowing use of Genetically Modified mustard, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje today said GM crops are not allowed in the state and would not be permitted.

"The previous Congress government had tried to introduce GM crop and an expert team was sent to three places for study (and) BJP (had) opposed it then," Raje said at the Kisan Agri Expo-2016 organised by Bharitya Kisan Sangh (BKS).

"BJP had opposed the move then and now my government would not allow it because farmers are more inclined towards organic farming," Raje said.

Organic farming is being done in 60,000 hectares in the state to contain diseases like cancer caused by chemical (fertiliser) farming, she said.

Raje said Rajasthan would host 'Global Agric Tech-2016 convention in November in Jaipur in a bid to attract foreign investment in the sector.

She said her government would spend three years of her term on "kisan aur paani" (farmers and water) and improve the agri economy of the state.

Raje said drip irrigation was adopted in cultivation of sugarcane in Sriganganagar district and farmers were adivsed not to depend on flood irrigation as it causes silting due to gypsum soil in the area.

She said 330 'pragateesheel kisan' (progressive farmers) have been identified in the state who would visit foreign countries to obtain latest knowledge in farming.

After their return they would teach other farmers to adopt foreign technology, she said.

Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, MOS for I&B, said an LCD TV would be installed in every Krishi Mandi in his Jaipur rural constituency facilitating the Kisan Channel of DD so that farmers keep updated with latest agri and weather information.