Sukhbir @ 7pm: Punjab needs to diversify towards high-value farming, says Sukhbir Singh Badal
Sukhbir @ 7pm Episode 3: Amid restrictions on physical rallies and roadshows in five poll-bound states, including Punjab, ahead of the Assembly elections 2022, Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal is connecting with the masses through its virtual campaign — Sukhbir @ 7pm. To read in Punjabi, click here.
In the third episode of Sukhbir @ 7pm, SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal held a brief conversation on the issue of agriculture and farmers with the senior journalist Sarabjit Singh Pandher, Sukh Harpreet Singh Rode, dairy farming, and Jack Singh Danewalia, Kisan, dairy farming.
Also Read | Sukhbir @ 7pm: Sukhbir Singh Badal shares vision for youth and employment
On being asked about issues of farmers that are yet to be addressed, Sukhbir Badal said, "We need to understand the need of agriculture. Farming needs water, mandi system among others. The SAD has always worked towards enhancing the infrastructure for farmers."
Sarabjit Singh Pandher asked Sukhbir Badal about the wealth generation process and the situation of small farmers who are forced to sell their land to send their children to foreign countries. To this, Sukhbir Badal said: "We need to head towards diversification. We have decided, if voted to power, we will provide loans on free interest to a woman who keeps 10 animals and will also provide insurance cover for those animals. It will help them in getting additional income."
"Also, we will encourage maize farming for which we need ethanol factories. Foreign countries are using ethanol instead of petrol and diesel. Maize farming is a cash crop. If voted to power, we will provide MSP on fruits, vegetables, and milk," he added.
On the other hand, Sukh Harpreet Singh Rode asked the SAD president about the issue of the "substandard" quality of milk. He highlighted that several people are using bad quality milk and even getting higher profits. To this, the SAD president said "it is the most dangerous thing in Punjab. As drugs destroy youth, the bad quality of milk will destroy the whole Punjab."
"If voted to power, we will bring an Act in which if a person caught selling bad quality of milk will be given life imprisonment and all his properties will be attached," he said.
Meanwhile, Jack Singh Danewalia posed a question on the issue of horticulture. Sukhbir Singh Badal said the Punjab Government should work more in the horticulture sector. "To enhance this, we need to establish grading and packing centre. Then, we need to develop a cold chain system. If our system will be developed and once we started exporting our crops, the cost of crops will be raised."
Also Read | Sukhbir @ 7pm Episode 2: Opposition targetting SAD as it's only Punjab's party, says Sukhbir Singh Badal
-PTC News
